U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said recent actions by China against Panama-flagged vessels raise "serious concern" about the use of economic measures to undermine the rule of law, as detentions of ships increase following a legal dispute over control of key ports near the Panama Canal.
"China's recent actions against Panama-flagged vessels raise serious concerns about the use of economic tools to undermine the rule of law in Panama," Rubio said in a statement, adding that delays and inspections "undermine the stability of global supply chains, increase costs for businesses and consumers, and erode confidence in the international trading system."
