Hegseth Vows U.S. Will Secure Panama Canal Against China, Signals Potential Military Action

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is taking a firm stance against China’s growing influence over the Panama Canal, vowing that the United States will secure the vital waterway and explicitly not ruling out the use of military force to do so. In a speech delivered on April 8, 2025, at the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters in Doral, Florida, Hegseth declares, “China did not build this canal, China does not operate this canal, and China will not weaponize this canal.” He emphasizes that the U.S. will “take back the canal from China’s influence,” citing. . .