Panama President José Raúl Mulino said that the country would not renew its 2017 MoU with China to join its Belt and Road initiative after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave an ultimatum to the nation to distance itself from Beijing.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino sought to reconcile with the US during a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

José Raúl Mulino called his talks with Rubio “respectful” and “positive” and said he did not “feel like there’s a real threat against the treaty and its validity."

S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Sunday that the Central American ally must immediately reduce Chinese influence over the Panama Canal area or face potential retaliation from the Trump administration.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday warned Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino that Washington will "take measures necessary" if Panama does not immediately take steps to end what President Donald Trump sees as China's influence and control over the Panama Canal.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Panama's President José Raúl Mulino that the "status quo" of the Panama Canal is "unacceptable."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Panama over the weekend, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a readout of their meeting.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino Sunday amid his first overseas trip, as the Trump administration makes a push for control of the Panama Canal.