U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth slammed China’s growing influence in the Western Hemisphere on Wednesday, telling a regional security conference in Panama that Beijing’s control of strategic and critical infrastructure in Latin America “cannot and will not stand.”
During opening remarks at the 2025 Central American Security Conference, Mr. Hegseth said Beijing’s interest in Latin America is dangerous.
“China’s military has too large of a presence in the Western Hemisphere,” he said. “Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain.”
Mr. Hegseth noted that President Trump prioritizes security in the hemisphere.
He struck a conciliatory tone with the other officials at the conference, telling them “to put America first, we will put the Americas first.”
“We have to recognize the threat that China poses to our countries, to our people, and peace in this region,” he said. “China-based companies are capturing land and critical infrastructure in strategic sectors such as energy and telecommunications.”
He accused Beijing of exploiting natural resources and land in Latin America through its Belt and Road Initiative to fuel its global military ambitions. He said China’s factory fishing fleets are stealing food “from our nations and from our people.”
President Trump has made it clear that the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas will not be controlled by China. He has gone so far as to threaten military force to ensure Beijing will never be in charge.
On Wednesday, a Chinese government official accused him of “maliciously” attacking China while attempting to sabotage their efforts with Panama.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the U.S. is the only country plotting to control the Panama Canal.
“The U.S. should take a hard look in the mirror to find out who is threatening other countries’ sovereignty, security, and development,” he said. “China calls on the U.S. to stop spreading rumors and making trouble, and stop linking China to the Panama Canal issue with ill intentions to find an excuse for America’s attempt to control the canal.”
Mr. Hegseth said the U.S. isn’t seeking a war with China and says conflict between the nations isn’t inevitable.
“We do not seek it in any form. But together, we must prevent war by robustly and vigorously deterring China’s threats in this hemisphere,” he said.
Mr. Hegseth’s comments came one day after he and Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino toured the Panama Canal and agreed to step up security coordination.
