Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez, left, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, and Southcom Commander Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey pose for a photo during a tour of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks,

China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal and China will not weaponize this canal,” the Pentagon chief said in remarks from Panama.

U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth said on Wednesday he sees the Panama Canal as key terrain that Panama should secure together with the United States and not with China, adding it was important to protect it from "malign" influence.