U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday warned Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino that Washington will "take measures necessary" if Panama does not immediately take steps to end what President Donald Trump sees as China's influence and control over the Panama Canal.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told Panama’s president that the Central American ally must reduce Chinese influence over the Panama Canal area or face potential retaliation from the Trump administration.

The US secretary of state told the Panamanian president that it must reduce China’s control over the canal or face retaliation from the White House.