Hegseth: We Retain the Right to Do What’s Necessary to Make Sure There’s Free Navigation in the Panama Canal’

EXCERPT:

HEGSETH: "The president has been clear about the fact that there is a neutrality treaty as it pertains to the Panama Canal, and if they don’t allow for free and unfettered access that can’t be shut down by other countries, then we have the right, we retain the right to do what is necessary to make sure there is free navigation in the Panama Canal. President Trump has said that will be the case, our Defense Department is prepared. So I don’t want to get ahead of what we may or may not do. Strategic  uncertainty is an important thing, but we will have freedom of navigation in the Panama Canal, whether that involves the Defense Department or not."