Rubio defends Panama’s sovereignty against Chinese threats

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday that he defends Panama’s sovereignty in the face of actions by Beijing which, according to Washington, is detaining ships under the Panamanian flag following Panama’s takeover of two ports of the interoceanic canal.

“The recent measures taken by China against ships flying the Panamanian flag raise serious concerns about the use of economic instruments aimed at undermining the rule of law in Panama, a sovereign nation and an essential partner in global trade,” Mr. Rubio said in a statement.