Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is warning lawmakers Tuesday about China's influence on the Panama Canal. (AP/Ben Curtis/Arnulfo Franco/AFP via Getty Images)
"Meanwhile, the high fees for canal transit disproportionately affect Americans because U.S. cargo accounts for nearly three quarters for canal transits. U.S. Navy vessels pay additional fees that apply only to warships. Canal profits regularly exceed $3 billion dollars," Cruz continued. "This money comes from both American taxpayers and consumers in the form of higher costs for goods."
Cruz’s comments come as newly sworn-in Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Panama for his first international trip as the nation’s top diplomat, Fox News has learned.
Trump said during his inauguration speech last week that "China is operating the Panama Canal" and "we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back."
Panama is denying the Chinese influence, with President José Raúl Mulino saying that "There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration," according to the Associated Press.
RUSSIA SOUNDS OFF ON TRUMP’S THREAT TO RETAKE THE PANAMA CANAL
Two cargo ships enter the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal in Panama City on Jan. 22. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"We cannot turn a blind eye if Panama exploits an asset of vital commercial and military importance, and we cannot stay idle while China is on the march in our hemisphere," he concluded.
Fox News’ Nick Kalman and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chinas-influence-panama-canal-poses-acute-risks-us-national-security-sen-cruz-warns