This past weekend, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino—just as I left for Paraguay to kick off this week’s investment tour. 

Coincidence? Probably.

So, for those of you wondering, there was no in-person interview with Rubio for the Expat Money Show…his loss…

Rubio’s visit comes amid growing speculation that President Donald Trump might seek to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, an assertion he has made repeatedly since before taking office last month.

I don’t follow U.S. politics too closely, but whenever I hear Marco Rubio’s name, I think back to Trump calling him “Little Marco” during the Republican debates years back and chuckle to myself. It’s funny that the same guy is now essentially Trump’s ambassador to Latin America.

The primary topic of discussion between Rubio and Mulino? China’s supposed undue influence over the canal.

I get asked about Trump’s claims regarding the Panama Canal all the time. And as I explained recently, I have no concerns about U.S. military intervention in Panama to take control of the canal.

President Mulino seemed to reinforce this, stating after his meeting with Rubio that there was “no real threat of taking the canal or the use of force.”

Trump did seem to gain something from the meeting, as Mulino said he would not renew Panama’s “Memorandum of Understanding” with China regarding its Belt and Road Initiative. 

That said, expect Trump to keep making bold statements about the canal whenever he wants leverage over Panama. It’s part of his negotiation playbook.

For now, the Panama Canal remains what it has always been: a manmade marvel, a vital global trade artery, and one of the highlights of any trip to Panama.

Speak soon,

Mikkel

P.S. Want to see the Panama Canal for yourself? Add an extra day or two to the front or back end of our Wealth, Freedom, and Passports Conference and experience it firsthand. With just six weeks to go, seats are filling fast—secure yours now at expatmoney.com/conference.

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