Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Panama Canal Tuesday and had some tough talk for China, which the Trump administration has repeatedly argued has way too much influence over the crucial U.S.-built waterway.

The U.S. will not allow any country to threaten the canal, Hegseth vowed:

I want to be very clear—China did not build this canal, China does not operate this canal, and China will not weaponize this canal.

Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations through the deterrent power of the strongest, most effective, and most lethal fighting force in the world.

We will do this in partnership with Panama. Together we will take back the Panama Canal from China's influence, and we will do this along with other capable, like-minded allies and partners.

This is what peace through strength looks like.

Watch:

SecDef Pete Hegseth with the Panama Canal to his back just named checked China:

"I want to be very clear: China did not build this canal, China does not operate this canal, and China will not weaponize this canal."

🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/RbXvRD34ep

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 8, 2025

President Trump made his intentions regarding the canal clear during his ’24 presidential campaign, and he has not backed down. The Panamanian government was at first resistant to Trump’s plans but then made a key concession:

Panama has repeatedly rejected the Trump administration’s claims that China effectively controls the canal as it operates two major ports on either end of the waterway. 

However, the Central American nation withdrew from its 2017 Belt and Road Initiative agreements with Beijing earlier this year in a signal that Panama has chosen to side with the Trump administration in this geopolitical spat.

Yep! He said it….On Christmas. 😊🎅

Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago), always making certain that the United States puts… pic.twitter.com/EPbc1vDenM

— Shadygrooove (@shadygrooove) December 25, 2024

Trump's post read:

Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people in its building 110 years ago), always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in "repair" money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about "anything."….

Read Related: Pete Hegseth Headed Off to See If Panama Wants the Whip or Carrot in Critical Meetings

U.S. Wins Major Concession in Panama Canal, With Trump Picking Up Another Foreign Policy Win

The defense secretary added that the U.S. would ensure the administration’s goals with more than just press conferences:

Hegseth laid out a litany of joint exercises, operations and the general presence of the U.S. military in and around the canal in a move to counter China, though Fox News Digital could not immediately reach the Pentagon to confirm whether this signified an increase in U.S. presence in the region.

He also touted our improving relationship with the Central American country:

"Our relationship with Panama, especially our security relationship, will continue to grow in the months and years ahead," Hegseth said. "Our relationship is growing in part to meet communist China's rising challenges."

Pier 3 tangibly represents America’s and Panama’s shared commitment to the Panama Canal’s security. Thanks to over $5 million in support from @USACEHQ, we have refurbished this pier. pic.twitter.com/tjJDzygniu

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) April 8, 2025

Between Trump’s tariffs and Hegseth’s warnings to Beijing over the canal, China probably isn’t too happy with us at the moment.

Change is hard.

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