U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed that America “will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence.”
During a visit to Panama on Tuesday, Hegseth warned that the United States and Panama will not allow Communist China to “weaponize this canal.”
“I want to be very clear — China did not build this canal,” Hegseth said.
“China does not operate this canal, and China will not weaponize this canal.”
.@SecDef @PeteHegseth: “China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal, and China will not weaponize this canal.” pic.twitter.com/tQ3pIerWr6
— Kristina Wong 🇺🇸 (@kristina_wong) April 8, 2025
“Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations through the deterrent power of the strongest, most effective, and most lethal fighting force in the world,” Hegseth said.
“We will do this in partnership with Panama.
“Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence, and we will do this along with other capable like-minded allies and partners.
“This is what ‘peace through strength’ looks like,” he said.
Panama has denied that the canal has fallen under China’s influence.
However, Hegseth said China-based companies continue