US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the Panama Canal faces ongoing threats from China, but the United States and Panama will work together to ensure its security.
Hegseth's comments sparked a backlash in China, with the government saying: "Who is the real threat to the canal? The people will judge for themselves."
After meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino at the opening ceremony of a new US-funded pier at the Vasco Nunez de Balboa naval base, Hegseth said the US would not allow China or any other country to jeopardize the operation of the canal.
"To that end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than they have in decades," he said.
