Trump has called for the US to reclaim control over the Panama Canal, saying China's growing influence in the region poses a national security risk.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Panama on Saturday,

US secretary of state Marco Rubio claimed to a US radio station this week that China could potentially “shut down the Panama Canal” in any conflict. Ahead of a trip to Panama this weekend, he added: “And in fact, I have zero doubt that they have contingency planning to do so. That is a direct threat.”