Panama and the U.S. signed a new security pact on the canal, boosting defense ties as tensions with China over Latin American influence continue to rise.

Defense Secretary Hegseth said the U.S. and Panama are strengthening security ties and "together" will "take back" the canal from the influence of China, which operates two major ports.

Hegseth's comments came during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new U.S.-funded dock at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base.

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 ...

"China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal and China will not weaponize this canal,” the Pentagon ...

The escalating war of words between the US and China over the canal has left Panama – which does not have a military – baffled and brings to mind the old proverb of how “when elephants fight ...

The Panama Canal has been a focal point of President Trump's broadside against China since his inaugural speech, and it's getting new focus as Beijing looks at alternatives to trading with the U.S ...

The United States will "take back" the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on ...

United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for America to “reclaim” the Panama Canal from what he termed ...

Chinese antitrust regulators are investigating a US consortium’s deal for two ports in the Panama Canal zone, delaying the deal’s closing that was originally set for next week.