Panamanian leader questions intention of those who signed 2017 deal and addresses concerns about Beijing’s investment in Panama Canal.

The United States may be targeting "weak links" in Chinese-backed initiatives or groupings to cut Beijing's growing influence as part of an emerging strategy during President Donald Trump's second term,

Following Donald Trump’s repeated claims that the US needs to “ take back ” the Panama canal from Chinese control, the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, visited Panama to demand the country reduce China’s influence. On the surface, it seems Rubio has succeeded.