Panama Ends China Deal After Pressure from Trump, Rubio

Panama has decided to exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) following strong warnings from the U.S., including former President Donald Trump and Senator Marco Rubio. The U.S. has long opposed China’s involvement in the Panama Canal, citing national security concerns. Panama joined the BRI in 2017, granting China access to infrastructure projects, but President José Raúl Mulino now plans to exit the deal before its 2026 expiration. Rubio praised the decision, calling it a win for U.S.-Panama relations and a move to curb China’s global influence.