Sec. of State Marco Rubio scores major victory in negotiations with Panama

President Donald Trump and his top guys are already scoring wins around the world on major issues that President Joe Biden would have never considered.

According to Fox News, after being ridiculed to death by the anti-Trump left and right, President Trump, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, managed to convince Panama to end its development deal with China.

The president had made several complaints regarding what appeared to be Panama cedeing control of its massive, globally impactful shipping lane to communist China.

José Raúl Mulino, Panama's president, was careful to say that he didn't plan on ceding the sovereignty of the Panama Canal, which stretches for roughly 51 miles.

Fox News noted:

But he said he would not renew a 2017 memorandum of understanding to join China’s Belt and Road global development initiative and that Panama would instead look to work more closely with the U.S.

The outlet added:

Trump has complained that China exerts control over the canal and charges U.S. ships six-figure premiums to cross Panama's isthmus. The canal was built over several decades by the U.S. and completed in 1914 but handed over to Panama during the Carter administration.

"I think this visit opens the door to build new relations … and try to increase as much as possible U.S. investments in Panama," Mulino told reporters after meeting with Trump's secretary of state.

"Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State! Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy," Rubio said in an X post.

Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State! Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy. pic.twitter.com/j4tPBDCDoF

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 2, 2025

Trump has, on multiple occasions, suggested that he's interested in taking back control of the Panama Canal.

The idea has been met with backlash from the left, the same backlash he receives when he floats the strong possibility of purchasing Greenland.

Social media users reacted to the deal struck, in part, by Rubio.

"Panamanian president vows NOT to renew contracts with China for use of the Panama Canal… WIN BIGLY," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "That’s how America rolls now. So proud of what you’re accomplishing, Secretary Rubio."