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

The United States will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday during a visit to the Central American nation.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is supporting the Panamanians’ efforts to push China out of the Panama Canal. Hegseth met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Tuesday and later spoke at a ribbon-cutting event for a new U.S.-financed dock at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base.