WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that President Donald Trump’s interest in buying Greenland and regaining control of the Panama Canal stems from genuine national security concerns. Rubio highlighted the growing influence of China in the Arctic and Latin America as key reasons behind Trump’s focus on these issues.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Central America, Rubio said he couldn’t predict whether Trump would succeed in these ambitions, but he emphasized that the president’s attention to both areas would leave a lasting impact.

“Four years from now, our interests in the Arctic and the Panama Canal will be more secure,” Rubio stated during an interview with SiriusXM host Megyn Kelly.

Rubio’s Panama Visit Highlights Concerns Over Chinese Influence

Rubio’s upcoming visit to Panama, his first official trip as Secretary of State, underscores the importance of the canal issue to the Trump administration. While immigration and other topics are on the agenda, Rubio made it clear that safeguarding the canal is a priority.

Rubio expressed concern about the extent of Chinese investments in Panama, particularly near the canal’s Pacific and Caribbean entrances. He warned that Chinese companies, which are often tied to the Beijing government, could disrupt canal operations in case of a conflict.

“If China decides to obstruct traffic in the Panama Canal, they have the capability to do so, and that poses a direct threat to us,” Rubio said. He also criticized the overcharging of American ships using the canal, calling it a violation of the 1977 treaty under which the U.S. handed over control of the canal to Panama in 1999.

“We should be getting a discount, or even free access, considering we built the canal,” Rubio added.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, however, dismissed the idea of renegotiating U.S. control of the canal, stating, “The canal belongs to Panama. There will be no negotiation.” Despite this, Rubio indicated the topic would be part of his discussions during the trip.

Greenland Acquisition: A Strategic Move?

On Greenland, Rubio reiterated Trump’s interest in purchasing the territory from Denmark, citing security concerns. He argued that Denmark lacks the resources to protect Greenland from Chinese ambitions in the Arctic, where Beijing seeks to control shipping routes.

“Since the U.S. is already obligated to defend Greenland under NATO, it makes sense for us to have more authority there,” Rubio said. He acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue for Denmark but stressed that it aligns with U.S. national interests.

Rubio concluded by saying that both Greenland and the Panama Canal are critical to U.S. security and global influence, underscoring the administration’s determination to address these issues.