Rubio Accuses China of Harassing Panama-Flagged Ships

April 2, 2026, 5:47 PM UTC

The US accused China of harassing and detaining Panama-flagged ships after the Central American nation struck down contracts with a Hong Kong conglomerate operating ports on both sides of the Panama Canal.

The allegations, first raised by the US Federal Maritime Commission and amplified by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, add another point of tension between the US and China ahead of President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Beijing in May.

“China’s recent actions against Panama-flagged vessels raise serious concerns about the use of economic tools to undermine the rule of law in Panama, a sovereign ...

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