The United States and Panama will work together to take back the Panama Canal from “China’s influence,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday while standing in front of the vital shipping lane.

Hegseth, who was in Panama to meet with its government officials, spoke from a new U.S.-financed pier at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base, where he said Beijing would not be allowed to "weaponize" the canal via a commercial presence.

“The United States of America will not allow communist China or any other country to threaten the canal's operation or integrity,” he said.

He noted that the U.S. and Panama strengthened their defense and security cooperation in recent weeks and together “will take back the........

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