Panama President José Raúl Mulino says there will be no negotiation with the United States over ownership of the Panama Canal. He also says that he hopes U.S.

In a statement posted to X, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said the Panama Canal would remain under his country’s ownership. Mulino said he rejected Trump’s words “in their entirety” and reiterated that the canal would continue to be overseen by the Pamanian government.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and toured the Panama Canal, which President Donald Trump wants to retake control.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is arguing that the presence of two Hong Kong companies and other Chinese firms violates a treaty Panama has with the United States.

President Trump has made a “preliminary determination” that Chinese influence violates a treaty that assures the canal's neutrality, Rubio said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told Panama’s president in a face-to-face meeting that the Central American ally must reduce alleged Chinese influence over the Panama Canal or the Trump administration will take “measures necessary” to do so.