The top U.S. naval officer warned against Chinese influence around the Panama Canal during regional talks in Panama, calling access to the route vital for security and trade.
Adm. Daryl Caudle made the remarks while attending the Inter-American Naval Conference in Panama City, where naval leaders from across the Americas gathered to discuss maritime security and cooperation.
According to video footage of his comments, Caudle said the United States and Panama needed to maintain close ties to ensure that countries such as China could not interfere with access to the canal.
He said the two countries must make sure “that a country like China can’t come in and dictate terms in the canal’s use.”…