The United States may be targeting "weak links" in Chinese-backed initiatives or groupings to cut Beijing's growing influence as part of an emerging strategy during President Donald Trump's second term,

Panama has decided to step away from a major global project led by China. The country’s president, José Raúl Mulino, announced that it will not renew its deal with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Panama has formally ended its participation in China's Belt and Road initiative, signaling efforts to improve relations with the Trump administration. The decision came alongside denials from Panama about a US State Department claim that US warships would transit the Panama Canal for free,