Panama's president has said that he instructed the country's foreign minister to not discuss the U.S. government's allegations of Chinese interference in the operations of the Panama Canal with the visiting head of U.

The Trump administration threatening partners in the Americas may prove to be short-term tactical approach but it will not prove to be a viable long-term strategy for engaging economically with the region.

Following US President Donald Trump's remarks on "taking back" the Panama Canal from China, the commander of the US military's Southern Command is visiting the country from February 19-20 to discuss security cooperation "safeguarding the Panama Canal area from China's influence and control.