Panama Offers Concessions to US After Rubio Meets President
- On first trip, Rubio promises US action to protect rights
- Panamanian president tells reporters he saw no threat from US
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Panama promised free passage for US warships through the Panama Canal and said it will withdraw from China’s signature lending program after Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted the government during his visit on Sunday.
Rubio, echoing President Donald Trump’s complaints about Chinese influence over the waterway, warned that the US would “take measures necessary to protect its rights” unless Panama makes immediate changes, the State Department said after Rubio met President Jose Raul Mulino.