Washington (TDI): In a recent statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed President Donald Trump’s interest in handling Greenland and reclaiming control over the Panama Canal. Genuine national security concerns in the US drive his interest.
This statement by the US Secretary of State reflects a response to the growing influence of China in the Arctic region, North Atlantic and Latin America. This highlights the urgency of protecting American interests on the global level, most specifically against China.
On Thursday, Rubio stated that he could not predict what the future of Greenland or the Panama Canal would be.
Whether Trump would succeed in purchasing Greenland from Denmark or reclaiming control over the Panama Canal during his administration, the attention Trump would give to both issues would have an impact.
Read more: Panama Canal Belongs to Panama Forever: President Jose
“What I think you can rest assured of is that four years from now, our interest in the Arctic will be more secure; our interest in the Panama Canal will be more secure,”
Rubio’s visit to Panama
On Saturday, Rubio will arrive in Panama for his official visit as US Secretary of State, underscoring the importance he and Trump place on securing control of the canal.
In addition, his visit to Panama will also discuss the immigration issue between both states. However, he firmly emphasizes that the Panama Canal will take centre stage during his visit to Panama.
Read more: Denmark increases Arctic’s security as US eyes
Rubio’s views during the Interview
During the interview, he further stated:
“Chinese investments in ports and other infrastructure and facilities at both the Pacific and Caribbean ends of the canal are a cause for major concern, leaving Panama and the critical shipping route vulnerable to China”.
According to many experts, these companies are connected to the Chinese government. They might follow orders of the Chinese administration to limit or stop traffic on the canal if a possible conflict erupts between China and Taiwan or if relations with the U.S. break down. On this concern, Rubio said:
“They are all over Panama”
Moreover, he stated,
“If the government in China is in conflict and tells them to shut down the Panama Canal, they will have to. I have zero doubt that they have contingency planning to do so; it is a direct threat.
Rubio added that,
“if China wanted to obstruct traffic in the Panama Canal, they could”
According to him, it would be a violation of the 1977 agreement signed by President Jimmy Carter that gave Panama control of the Panama Canal, which was built by the US in 1999.
He further elaborated,
“We should not be in a position of having to pay more than other countries. In fact, we should be getting a discount or maybe for free because we paid for the thing”.
Read more: Panama Canal Belongs to Panama Forever: President Jose
Response by Panamanian Prime Minister
On Thursday, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino expressed his thoughts that there will be no negotiations with Rubio over the ownership of the Panama Canal and that they will focus on migration and drug trafficking issues.
Mulio said when asked about the Panama Canal:
“It’s impossible, I can’t negotiate. That is done. The canal belongs to Panama.”
He expressed his thoughts during his participation in the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2025, held in Panama City.
But Rubio said it would be discussed.
“We’re going to address that topic,” he said. “The president’s been pretty clear he wants to administer the canal again. Obviously, the Panamanians are not big fans of that idea. That message has been brought very clear.”
Greenland
Regarding Greenland, he stated that Denmark, of which Greenland is a part, did not have the military capability to defend Greenland from China, as China keeps an eye on Greenland for the use of its Arctic Sea Routes.
As Greenland is already covered by the “NATO Mutual Defence Act”, it’s obvious that the US will have greater authority over Greenland.
Read more: Denmark increases Arctic’s security as US eyes…
“If we’re already on the hook for having to do that, we might as well have more control over what happens there. I know it’s a delicate topic for Denmark, but it’s again a national interest item for the United States” – he stated
