US to take back Panama Canal from Chinese influence, visiting Pentagon chief says

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, fourth from left, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez wave to workers on a boat during a tour of the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. - AP

PANAMA CITY: The United States will "take back" the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday (April 8) during a visit to the Central American nation.

After talks with Panama's government, Hegseth vowed to deepen security cooperation with Panamanian security forces and said China would not be allowed to "weaponise" the canal by using Chinese firms' commercial relationships for espionage.