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During the discussion, Rubio expressed his belief that if China chose to obstruct traffic through the canal, it would constitute a breach of the treaty agreement established when the canal was handed over to Panama. He asserted that the growing corporate activities spearheaded by Chinese entities in the region must be scrutinized closely, reflecting broader concerns shared by many in the American administration regarding sovereignty and national interest.
Rubio's assertion hit home with the notion that U.S. naval vessels should not face higher fees than those imposed on vessels from other countries navigating the canal—a fact that he also planned to address with Panamanian officials.