Marco Rubio's First Foreign Trip as Secretary of State to Focus on Countering China in Panama

Marco Rubio's first overseas trip as U.S. Secretary of State will include four Central American countries, including Panama, where countering China will be a key goal, according to a State Department official. The trip follows President Donald Trump's pledge to "take back" the Panama Canal, arguing that it is under Chinese control, a notion that Panama has rejected.

"Part of this trip is about countering China," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told Fox Business this week. When asked whether Rubio would impose U.S. interests over the canal, Bruce suggested that the Secretary of State would focus on "developing a relationship" rather than "bossing other nations around."

"A partnership with the United States is something they can trust—something that comes with benefits, just like any good relationship does," she added.

During his inauguration speech, Trump vowed to take back the Panama Canal. The president claimed that the U.S. has "been treated very badly by this foolish gift that should have never been made," referring to an agreement with the Latin American country that would eventually lead to Panama retaining full control of the canal.

He further claimed that "China is controlling the Panama Canal" and said, "We're taking it back." Trump has accused Panama of favoring China over the U.S., falsely asserting that Chinese authorities operate the waterway. The canal is managed by an autonomous agency overseen by the Panamanian government.

In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump claimed that 64% of the signs in the canal zone were in Mandarin and that Panama was rapidly removing them in response to scrutiny. "Panama is trying at great speed to eliminate the 64% of signs written in Chinese. They are all over the zone because China controls the Panama Canal. PANAMA WILL NOT GET AWAY WITH THIS!" Trump wrote, attaching a photo of a Bank of China advertisement near the canal. The president did not provide a source for his assertions.

The government of Panama filed a complaint to the United Nations following Trump's threat, referring to an article of the UN Charter precluding any member from "the threat or use of force" against the territorial integrity or political independence of another.

Beyond the Panama Canal matter, Rubio is also expected to push Trump's immigration agenda during the trip, given the administration's focus on curbing migration from Central America through the U.S.-Mexico border.