Fox News: Sec Hegseth to visit Panama after Trump's demands for canal's return

[riky]

Sec Hegseth to visit Panama after Trump's demands for canal's return

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will visit Panama next week for meetings with the country's leaders, following remarks from President Donald Trump about potentially acquiring the Panama Canal.......                    ...                        ...Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to meet with Panama leaders next week amid President You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login's continued efforts to regain control of the key strategic and military resource. ......The Trump administration has been outspoken about national security threats presented by alleged Chinese interference.......During a February visit to the country, You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login wrote in an X post that "the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area." ......Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed on Friday the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login will attend the 2025 Central American Security Conference, participating in discussions that will "drive ongoing efforts to strengthen the U.S.'s partnerships with Panama and other Central American nations," according to a report from the You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......The president, who has criticized the six-figure premiums imposed on U.S. ships traveling along the vital waterway, previously suggested repurchasing the canal.......It was built by the U.S. over the span of multiple decades, but was eventually handed over to Panama during the Carter administration.......The "Panama Canal Repurchase Act," a bill that was recently You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, would give Trump the authority to negotiate with appropriate Panamanian government officials to reacquire the Panama Canal.......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login......You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login previously said China does not have influence over the canal and accused Trump of "lying" about potentially acquiring it, according to the AP.......BlackRock, Inc. later announced a $23 billion deal with Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson to take ownership of the Panamanian ports of Cristobal and Balboa, along with 43 ports in 23 other countries, Fox News Digital previously reported.......The canal could be used as leverage for China in U.S. tariff negotiations.......Hegseth will also visit Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to meet with military members and leadership at the 7th Special Forces Group, according to the AP.......Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report....

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