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

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to meet with Panama leaders next week amid President Donald Trump's continued efforts to regain control of the key strategic and military deposit The Trump administration has been outspoken about national precaution threats presented by alleged Chinese interference During a February visit to the country Secretary of State Marco Rubio 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 established on Friday the secretary of defense will attend the Central American Prevention 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 description from the Associated Press PANAMA DENIES STATE DEPT CLAIM THAT IT IS ELIMINATING FEES FOR US GOV VESSELS USING CANALThe 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 in recent weeks introduced in Congress would give Trump the authority to negotiate with appropriate Panamanian ruling body authorities to reacquire the Panama Canal CHINA HONG KONG THREATEN TO THWART SALE OF PANAMA CANAL PORTS TO AMERICA'S BLACKROCKPanama President Jos Ra l Mulino previously announced China does not have influence over the canal and accused Trump of lying about potentially acquiring it according to the AP BlackRock Inc later revealed a billion deal with Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson to take ownership of the Panamanian ports of Cristobal and Balboa along with ports in other countries Fox News Digital previously released 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 th Special Forces Group according to the AP Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this summary