Panama Canal Cannot Be Under China's Control, Says U.S. State Department

The Panama Canal cannot be under China's control, stated the U.S. State Department, as reported by TASS.

According to the statement, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump considers the Panama Canal a strategic asset that must remain free from Chinese control. "The Panama Canal cannot be under the jurisdiction of the PRC either de facto or de jure," the statement said.

It is recalled that Trump stated during his inauguration speech that the U.S. should return the Panama Canal.