Sec. Pete Hegseth held a press briefing on Wednesday in Panama City, Panama.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Again, we, Honorable Pepit Hesed, will share his word, Secretary of State of Defense of the U.S.
00:13Good afternoon. It's a privilege to be here in Panama.
00:16Minister Abrego, thank you for an incredibly productive visit.
00:21The same goes for our friend, President Molino.
00:24President Molino and his administration are a great ally of the United States.
00:31We are deeply grateful for the friendship of our Panamanian counterparts, your partnership and your leadership here in Panama and across the region.
00:41We face shared security challenges and common threats.
00:47Together, we will deter them by increasing our defenses and achieving peace through strength.
00:52Since President Trump was elected, our two nations have done more to strengthen cooperation in a few months than we have in decades.
01:04And President Molino, who we met with earlier, we have you to thank in large part for that as well.
01:11We're partnering closely in three areas.
01:14First, securing our borders and stopping mass illegal migration.
01:18What Panama has done in the Darien Gap is incredible.
01:24Crossings down 99% since a year ago.
01:29Second, we're countering violent cartels and criminal enterprises.
01:33And third, we're securing the Panama Canal and countering China's malign influence.
01:39The Panama Canal is key terrain that must be secured by Panama with America and not China.
01:46To that end, that is why the United States and Panama have just signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperative security activities.
01:58And we'll be signing, just moments after this press conference, a joint declaration with the Minister of Canal Affairs on the security and operation of the Panama Canal,
02:10which is a framework for U.S. warship and auxiliary ships to sail first and free through the Panama Canal.
02:20These documents reaffirm our historic ties and outlie how we will deepen our relationship and strengthen bilateral canal security cooperation.
02:32It also builds on the great work started by our Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team.
02:38This memorandum of understanding will increase joint training, exercises, operations, and overall interoperability between our two forces,
02:51reestablishing rotational and joint presence at Fort Sherman, Rodman Naval Station, and Howard Air Force Base.
03:01Our expanded security relationship will also enhance cyber cooperation, information sharing, bilateral security dialogues, and canal infrastructure improvements.
03:19These steps are going to help Panama deter and counter malign activity in the areas surrounding the canal.
03:25Our countries reaffirmed our shared commitment to protecting Panamanian sovereignty from malign influence.
03:37And we recognize the foundational importance of our constitutional governments, including respect for our neutrality treaty.
03:47We've also been working closely with the Panama Canal Authority, and we will further increase our cooperation with each other.
03:55The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one example.
03:59They were critical in building the canal over 120 years ago and have partnered closely with the Canal Authority for many years.
04:06The Canal Authority will continue to pay the Corps of Engineers for their expertise and technical support.
04:13This will help ensure the canal's long-term sustainability.
04:17And this summer, the USNS Comfort, a naval hospital ship, will visit Panama and provide medical help and deepen bilateral relationships between our service members and our people.
04:32Beyond our important bilateral relationship with Panama, I'm proud to be here to participate in the Central America Security Conference.
04:40So thank you again, Minister Abrego, Admiral Halsey, Commander of U.S. Southern Command, doing a fantastic job for convening this important regional security forum.
04:52It was great to meet so many partners earlier this morning and last night and hear how we are working together, training together, and exercising together.
05:01In fact, right now, partnering with Panama, we have two cruisers, two USS Coast Guard cutters, F-18 fighters, a U.S. Marine Corps infantry company, over 1,000 U.S. troops supporting partner operations in Panama.
05:18Together with Panama, we're focused on strengthening our security cooperation and countering malign influence.
05:27The security of our hemisphere is a top priority for the United States Department of Defense.
05:33Our mission is simple, achieve peace through strength, through an America First approach.
05:39As I've said before, America First does not mean America alone.
05:43Rather, putting America First, a phrase coined by President Trump and advanced in our interests, means making our alliances and partnerships make sense for the American people and our friends.
06:00As he says, it's common sense.
06:04In this region, as we put America First, we are putting the Americas First as well.
06:09We're doing this by confronting shared threats and shared challenges in this hemisphere, starting as President Trump has led the way by securing our southern border, getting 100 percent operational control.
06:26Because border security is national security, and it starts at home.
06:30We're doing this by stopping illegal migration, destroying transnational cartels and gangs, and ending the era of capitulation to coercion to the communist Chinese.
06:42As I said yesterday, we are helping to take back the Panama Canal from communist Chinese influence.
06:51Like our partners across Central America and South America, the United States wants a hemisphere that is secure, prosperous, and full of sovereign nations.
07:03This is not about globalism or foreign adventurism.
07:08This is a golden age of clear-eyed Americanism and shared national interests.
07:17We want this to be a golden age for our countries together and for this hemisphere.
07:24We want, in short, not only to make America great again, but to make the Americas great again.
07:32And we will achieve these goals together, standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies and partners, with President Trump leading the way.
07:41So, again, I want to thank President Molino, Minister Abrego, for being valued partners and for hosting us in your beautiful country.
07:51And with that, we look forward to your questions.
07:58We appreciate the words of the Secretary of Defense of the United States, Mr. Hexed.
08:04Thank you for your remarks.
08:06At this time, we open the floor to questions to the media.
08:12Right now, we have Mr. Adolfo Berrios from La Estrella de Panamá.
08:21Good day.
08:22Mr. Secretary of Defense, you mentioned the U.S. troops that are helping the Panamanian forces.
08:32And the memorandum talks about increasing bilateral activities.
08:36The joint announcement in English makes no mention of Panama's sovereignty over the canal.
08:43So, the U.S. recognized Panama's sovereignty over the canal.
08:46And if there are plans from the U.S. to maintain a permanent military presence in Panama beyond the current cooperation and training.
08:57Appreciate the question.
08:58Yes, guys.
08:59We certainly understand that the Panama Canal is in Panama.
09:03And protecting Panamanian sovereignty from malign influence is important.
09:09Which is why when President Trump says we're taking back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, that involves partnership with the United States and Panama.
09:19And we're grateful that they've welcomed U.S. troops on Panamanian soil by invitation through rotational joint exercises.
09:29And that's what you'll see in the memorandum of understanding.
09:31It's an opportunity to revive, whether it's the military base, naval air station, locations where U.S. troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate.
09:45In a rotational way, we welcome the opportunity to have an increased troop presence here alongside the Panamanians to secure the sovereignty of the Panama Canal.
09:54Are there plans to make a permanent?
09:55Ultimately, we look forward to a long relationship with the country of Panama.
10:02And that would be in deliberation with the leadership of Panama.
10:12Well, thank you, Secretary.
10:14Thank you, Mr. Minister.
10:15Two parts, if I may.
10:17Number one, the Chinese responded quite aggressively to your trip, saying, well, accusing the U.S. of blackmail.
10:22So I thought I'd just ask you, have you blackmailed anyone?
10:25And, Minister, do you feel blackmailed at all?
10:27My second question is for the Minister about Taiwanese sovereignty.
10:32This country has ceased to recognize Taiwan since 2017.
10:35Did Taiwan come up in your conversations this week?
10:38And is that something you'll pursue again?
10:42Well, I don't know anything about blackmail.
10:45Appreciate the question.
10:47But I do know about strength.
10:49Peace through strength and deterrence.
10:52You're seeing strength from President Trump with tariffs, with reciprocal tariffs,
10:58recognizing that he's willing to protect American industries and American workers
11:03from unfair trade practices that have existed for decades.
11:08And no one stood up on behalf of America.
11:10President Trump is doing that in real time right now.
11:14And at the Defense Department, whether it was our trip to the Indo-Pacific, in the Philippines, Japan, and Guam, and elsewhere,
11:20or here in the Panama Canal and with our Panamanian partners, we're standing up to malign Chinese influence.
11:27And simply saying a strong America that deters that influence in our own backyard, in our hemisphere,
11:35is good for us, good for our partners, and creates opportunities for freedom in the future.
11:41So, again, this is not about we want peace.
11:44We seek peace.
11:46We don't seek conflict.
11:48But we believe that conflict does not come the stronger we are.
11:51And we're happy to speak it clearly, which President Trump has always been willing to speak that clearly,
11:56which is why we point out here clearly the malign influence of the communist Chinese
12:03and their attempt to leverage it in the Panama Canal or Panama Canal area,
12:08which does not serve Panamanian interests or American interests.
12:13And that's something we will stand up for every day.
12:17Continuamos con las preguntas.
12:19Si es la oportunidad de P.P.
12:20We continue with questions.
12:21Now we have Juan José RodrÃguez from Media AFP.
12:27Hola.
12:27Good afternoon.
12:28I wanted to ask the Secretary, yesterday the press released and talked about an agreement for the passage of warships to not pay when they cross the Panama Canal.
12:47I wanted to ask if there has been an agreement between Panama and the U.S.
12:51to effectively waive those payments to Panama when these warships cross,
12:59or if Panama has to return that payment through purchasing materials or anything from the U.S.
13:06In that case, wouldn't that break the spirit of the neutrality treaties?
13:18I appreciate the question.
13:20We're calling it, and we said in our statement yesterday, first and free.
13:25First and free for U.S. and Panamanian vessels, military and auxiliary vessels.
13:32In partnership, that's why after this we're signing with the Minister of Canal Affairs.
13:38But it is in keeping with the understanding of the Panama Constitution,
13:42with the authorities of the Panama Canal.
13:45So we've worked directly with Panamanian leadership, with the Canal Authority,
13:50to make sure it's arranged in such a way that it is first and free and is in keeping with their understanding.
13:58And that we'll be signing that framework, which is what it is today,
14:01a framework right after this press conference with the Minister of Canal Affairs.
14:06But it was important to us that in moments of contingency, our troops can travel first and free.
14:13And we're grateful that our Panamanian partners are working with us on that.
14:18Absolutely. Thank you.
14:19Good afternoon.
14:32Secretary Hankseth, did you provide assurances that the United States would not intervene militarily
14:37to take over the Panama Canal, or is that contingent on what happens with Chinese presence here in Panama?
14:43And your top general in Europe said yesterday the United States should keep its military presence on the continent as it is now.
14:51Do you agree, and are you considering relinquishing the SACUR post to a non-American?
14:57And to Minister Abrego, would Panama accept a permanent deployment of U.S. troops
15:03or the establishment of a permanent U.S. military base on Panamanian soil?
15:09And if not, why not? Thanks.
15:11Thanks.
15:13I would just start by saying the only person that will make a determination about force structure of U.S. troops in Europe
15:20will be President Trump, the Commander-in-Chief.
15:23And we will continue to have ongoing discussions, including inside the context of Ukraine-Russia negotiations,
15:28of what our force posture should be on the continent that best addresses American interests
15:34and ensures burden-sharing in Europe as well.
15:37To the question about Chinese influence, we are focused on working together with our Panamanian partners
15:46to ensure that malign Chinese influence is not allowed to take any additional hold
15:52and is, in fact, expelled from the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal area.
15:56And they've been very fruitful conversations.
15:59I don't know if the minister has.
16:05Yes, good afternoon.
16:06Again, we want to establish or to say that Panama absolutely during this memorandum of understanding
16:17has given any sovereignty of the Panama Canal or any of the adjacent zones.
16:24Panama is within the framework of the neutrality treaty, and based on that, part of the constitution,
16:34the U.S. has managed themselves with respect.
16:38We just heard the secretary say that he will have a meeting with the minister of the canal.
16:45He already had it in the past with the administrator of the Panama Canal searching for the correct way
16:54to not go against the neutrality treaty or the Panamanian constitution.
16:59That has been established.
17:00So Panama mentioned through, or Panama's president mentioned that we cannot accept military bases or defense bases.
17:11We are clear that we need to keep cooperation in terms of security with the U.S. and with the U.S. military,
17:18and that's something that keeps happening.
17:20It's an ongoing exercise.
17:22It has been over 18 years that we have had ongoing exercises with the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army.
17:33So this is not new.
17:34We understand that based on international media and what has taken place,
17:41that it becomes a hot trend, but maybe we want, and also we want to know a little bit more,
17:48but in this sense, our president Molino established yesterday in his press communication
17:54and with Mr. Secretary Hexitt in that private meeting they had.
17:58He acknowledged the sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal and he acknowledged that neutrality treaty has to be respected in our constitution as well,
18:09just as we respect the constitution of the U.S. and their laws when we address any type of negotiation.
18:17All this has been written down in documents that will become public.
18:25And there is nothing under the table.
18:28There is nothing in hiding.
18:31Everything will be out there and available for anyone who wants to read it.
18:37What the minister has said is what the media tries to do very hard is to divide us.
18:45And what we call that in the states, Mr. Minister, is fake news.
18:48So thank you.
18:54We wrap up this press conference.
18:56Thanks to everyone for joining us and have an awesome afternoon.