Panama withdraws from China's influence, strengthens US ties
Panama has withdrawn from the Chinese "Belt and Road Initiative" after talks with the USA. President José Raúl Mulino announced the decision following a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The project aimed to develop infrastructure and trade.
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, declared that the country will not renew the memorandum with China regarding the "Belt and Road Initiative." The decision was reached after discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to "Kommersant," Mulino stressed that Rubio did not threaten the use of force or the takeover of the Panama Canal.
During the discussions, US President Donald Trump's words were remembered. In them, he stated that China's presence in the region violates the 1999 agreement on the transfer of the Panama Canal. Trump assured us that addressing this issue would not require US military intervention.
The Chinese "Belt and Road Initiative" is a strategy for developing logistics and trade. 149 countries have joined the initiative.
Panama signed a memorandum in 2017, which was renewed every three years. Panama's decision marks the end of cooperation in this project.
