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,

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is opposed to U.S. "smearing and sabotage" of the Belt and Road Initiative in Panama through "pressure and coercion", its foreign ministry said on Friday, after the South American nation decided to exit the programme.

The Latin American country pulled out of Beijing’s infrastructure project in the face of strong pressure from the United States.