Sec. Hegseth: ‘The Leadership of Panama Are Eagerly Pro-American’; ‘Panama Canal Is Strategic Key Terrain’

EXCERPT:

HEGSETH: “Yeah, Will, you got it right. This is about malign Chinese influence. This is a power play by the Chinese in our backyard on what in the military we call key terrain. Panama Canal is strategic key terrain. You mentioned the 40 percent are U.S. ships. Well, 75 percent of the traffic that goes through the Panama Canal either originates from or is going to a U.S. port. And you mentioned the history there of our investment. This is something we’ve been involved in for quite some time. And so, we had a chance to go down there with a large group of U.S. soldiers and ships and others to meet with their leadership and say we want to help you remove Chinese influence. And thankfully, the leadership of Panama are eagerly pro-American and they’ve demonstrated it already. They kicked out the Belt and Road Initiative when Senator — when Secretary of State Rubio was there a few months ago.”