
PANAMA CITY, April 8 (Reuters) - The United States will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday during a visit to the Central American nation.
Hegseth, following talks with Panama's government, vowed to deepen cooperation and said China would not be allowed to "weaponize" the canal by using Chinese firms' commercial relationships for espionage.
"Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China's influence," Hegseth said.