Well, look at that—Panama just hit the eject button on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and it only took a visit from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a little nudge from President Donald Trump. Seems like someone in the Western Hemisphere finally figured out that selling your country’s infrastructure to the Chinese Communist Party isn’t exactly a winning strategy.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino made it official: the 2017 memorandum of understanding that tied Panama to China’s so-called “Silk Road” will not be renewed. Not “might not.” Not “under consideration.” Will not. That’s a done deal. And he’s even looking into whether he can cut ties with it sooner. Now, that’s the kind of leadership that sends a clear message. Unlike the Biden-era diplomacy of empty platitudes and “strategic patience,” this is decisive action—something Beijing isn’t used to hearing.
Let’s not kid ourselves. China’s Belt and Road Initiative isn’t some generous economic development program—it’s a debt trap disguised as diplomacy. They lure countries in with flashy infrastructure projects, then drown them in unsustainable loans, and before you know it, Beijing owns key ports, highways, and even power grids. Just ask Sri Lanka, where the Chinese swooped in and took control of a major port when the country couldn’t pay up. Or Africa, where China has gained strategic leverage over countless nations. And let’s not forget their growing footprint in Latin America, where they’ve been gobbling up influence at an alarming rate—until now.
Mulino’s decision is a massive win for U.S. interests in the region, and it didn’t happen in a vacuum. Trump has been making it crystal clear that the Panama Canal—one of the most critical trade routes in the world—needs to be under Panama’s control, not China’s. The mere suggestion that Trump is willing to use military power if necessary probably helped sharpen Panama’s focus on who their real allies are. Because let’s face it, if you’re running a country that controls one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes, aligning yourself with China—a regime notorious for economic coercion and military expansionism—isn’t exactly a great long-term plan.
And here’s the kicker: while Democrats wring their hands about “diplomatic norms” and pretend China isn’t a serious threat, Trump and Rubio are out there actually doing something about it. No lectures, no endless committees—just action. Rubio even made a point to thank Mulino for his efforts to curb illegal immigration through the Darien Gap, another major problem that the Biden administration has ignored in favor of handing out asylum claims like candy.
The meeting also touched on another key issue: leveling the playing field for American businesses. Because here’s the reality—China doesn’t play fair. They undercut competition, steal technology, and prop up state-owned companies to muscle out anyone who won’t play by their rules. Panama, under Mulino, seems to understand that a real partnership with the U.S. means prioritizing free and fair competition—not bending the knee to Beijing’s economic strong-arming.
Then there’s the Venezuela angle. Mulino reaffirmed his support for a democratic Venezuela—something that should be a no-brainer but somehow isn’t in the circles of certain leftist politicians who still entertain the fantasy that socialism “just hasn’t been done right yet.” While Biden-era bureaucrats dither on how to handle Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship, Mulino is siding with those who actually want to see freedom return to Venezuela.
Rubio summed it up best: this meeting marks an important step in reinvigorating the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Panama, aligning perfectly with Trump’s vision. And make no mistake—this is what actual leadership looks like. While Washington’s left-wing elites are busy worrying about pronouns and climate conferences, Trump, Rubio, and Mulino are making real decisions that protect economic security, national sovereignty, and regional stability.
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, vows NOT to renew the 2017 Chinese contracts on the Panama Canal that are part of the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative. The contracts come up in one or two years, but could be even sooner.
A good strart!!
pic.twitter.com/rYuRlsLUl2— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 2, 2025
China just got a big reality check, and the message is loud and clear: the Western Hemisphere is not for sale.