U.S. blamed after Panama pulls out of deal with China

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian on Friday said Beijing hoped Panama would change its mind about withdrawing from its Belt and Road Initiative. The United States was coercing Panama into a decision that was not in its best interest, Lin claimed. The Chinese diplomat responded when a reporter asked about Beijing’s reaction to Panamanian leader José Raúl Mulino’s decision. He gave China 90 days’ notice that his country would withdraw from the agreement.

What is the Belt and Road Initiative? The Chinese government began the project in 2013, according to the Congressional Research Service. The project seeks to develop Chinese-controlled infrastructure systems in countries across the globe—and expand state-run Chinese companies’ presence overseas. More than 100 countries host projects affiliated with the initiative, according to the Congressional Research Service.

How is the United States involved in Panama leaving this agreement? U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama earlier this week and told Mulino and other Panamanian officials that the United States could not afford to let China have too much influence over the Panama Canal. President Donald Trump also recently accused Panama of allowing China to run the canal and said he would not rule out military or economic action to protect U.S. interests in the canal.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report about how Panama’s president wants to keep his country in control of the Panama Canal.