The head of the Federal Maritime Committee will tell a US Senate Committee that the United States has options to deal with the growing presence of China and Chinese companies in Panama.

President Donald Trump promised that the United States would take back the Panama Canal, but did not give more details about when and how it intended to re -claim the canal – which is the dominant territory of an ally.

“We need to increase support for US companies seeking to operate in Panama and throughout America. Chinese companies should not be the only bidders in contracts »said the chairman of the Federal Maritime Committee Louis E. Sola, in a written testimony to be presented on Tuesday at a hearing of the Senate Committee on the Panama Canal, Reuters reports.

Sola added that “Chinese companies were able to conclude billions of dollars in Panama, many of which were natural infrastructure projects, some above or next to the Panama Canal“

The Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee Ted Cruise stated before listening: “The United States has paid and built the Panama Canal, but Panama behaves unjustly in America and grants control of basic infrastructure in China.”

Previously, Trump had refused to exclude possible use of military violencecriticizing Washington’s Latin American friends and enemies.

In Sola’s deposition, he said: “The United States is not without choices to tackle the growing presence of China and Chinese companies in Panama and throughout America. Nor are we without choices for the viability of the channel ».

Also said that It is vital to protect the independence of the Panama Canal Authority.

The President of Panama, Jose RaulHe said last week that Panama was managing the canal responsible for world trade, including the United States.

More than 40% of container traffic in the US, worth about $ 270 billion per yearpasses through the Panama Canal.

In August last year, Sola and then FMC President Dan Maffei visited Panama and met with Mulino after drought conditions severely affected the functions of the channel.

Mafi said in a written testimony to be presented to the Senate Committee on Tuesday that “Panama’s rain season has fortunately mitigated acute water supply problems at present and restored normal transit tumors ».

Rubio will visit Panama In the midst of Trump’s pressure to get the channel back.