The US State Department On Wednesday he announced a new deal with the government of Panama that will eliminate the costs for US government vessels.
“The Government of Panama has agreed to no longer charge costs for US government vessels to continue the Panama Canal, “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in an X -post Wednesday evening.
The new agreement will American government Millions of dollars a year, civil servants noticed.
The American State Secretary Marco Rubio, Right, waves after being welcomed by Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha, left on his arrival at the Presidential Palace in Panama City, on Sunday 2 February. Panama is Rubio’s first trip abroad as a secretary of the state. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
Panama President José Raúl Mulino promised Sunday to end a key Development agreement with China After a meeting with State Secretary Marco Rubio.
During his visit, Former Senator of Florida Rubio Written in a post on X that “the United States cannot allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area.”
President Donald Trump, who openly criticized the six -digit premiums imposed on American ships traveling through it, has suggested buying the channel back.
Two cargo ships will be in the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal in Panama City on January 22. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty images)
‘Take It Back’: Internal House Gop Memo outlines a business for Trump to Y Panama Canal
It was built by the US for decades, but was later transferred to Panama during the Carter Government.
A newly introduced bill called the “Panama Canal Repinkase Act” would give Trump and Rubio the authority to negotiate with Panama to buy back the channel.
File – President Jimmy Carter speaks alongside his wife Rosalynn on arrival in Panama City to sign the Panama Canal Convention, June 16, 1978. (AP photo)
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 70 percent of all ships travel through the canal are incoming or outgoing for American ports. It is also an important transit point for the American Coast Guard and the Ministry of Defense Ships.
Ships should travel 8,000 extra kilometers around South America to prevent the path.
TOPSHOT – US State Secretary Marco Rubio Boards A plane on his way to El Salvador on Panama Pacifico International Airport in Panama City on 3 February 2025. Rubio is in Panama during a two -day official visit. (Mark Schiefelbein/Pool AP/AFP via Getty images)
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Fox News Digital asked for a comment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but did not immediately receive a response from Wednesday evening.
Danielle Wallace and Stepheny Price from Fox News Digital have contributed to this report.
