Ari Shapiro

Consider this. Trump's threat to take back the Panama Canal has the potential to reshuffle global politics. We'll meet the people and a 51-mile waterway in the middle of it all. From NPR, I'm Ari Shapiro.

Consider this. Trump's threat to take back the Panama Canal has the potential to reshuffle global politics. We'll meet the people and a 51-mile waterway in the middle of it all. From NPR, I'm Ari Shapiro.

Consider this. Trump's threat to take back the Panama Canal has the potential to reshuffle global politics. We'll meet the people and a 51-mile waterway in the middle of it all. From NPR, I'm Ari Shapiro.

It's Consider This from NPR. Right now, I am in a building in what used to be known as the Panama Canal Zone. It's just steps from the waterway. This spot has sat at the center of global trade for more than a century, connecting two oceans. The things Americans use every day pass through here, from gasoline to food.

It's Consider This from NPR. Right now, I am in a building in what used to be known as the Panama Canal Zone. It's just steps from the waterway. This spot has sat at the center of global trade for more than a century, connecting two oceans. The things Americans use every day pass through here, from gasoline to food.

It's Consider This from NPR. Right now, I am in a building in what used to be known as the Panama Canal Zone. It's just steps from the waterway. This spot has sat at the center of global trade for more than a century, connecting two oceans. The things Americans use every day pass through here, from gasoline to food.

And now, this spot is also at the center of President Trump's global expansionist agenda. Monday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a visit to Panama. And here's what his boss, President Trump, said on Sunday.

And now, this spot is also at the center of President Trump's global expansionist agenda. Monday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a visit to Panama. And here's what his boss, President Trump, said on Sunday.

And now, this spot is also at the center of President Trump's global expansionist agenda. Monday morning, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrapped up a visit to Panama. And here's what his boss, President Trump, said on Sunday.

His claim that China operates the canal is false, and we'll dig into that more in a minute. When Rubio woke up here in Panama City yesterday morning, he went to services at a church where cameras were not allowed. But a different Sunday morning service live-streamed into Panamanians' homes all over the country.

His claim that China operates the canal is false, and we'll dig into that more in a minute. When Rubio woke up here in Panama City yesterday morning, he went to services at a church where cameras were not allowed. But a different Sunday morning service live-streamed into Panamanians' homes all over the country.

His claim that China operates the canal is false, and we'll dig into that more in a minute. When Rubio woke up here in Panama City yesterday morning, he went to services at a church where cameras were not allowed. But a different Sunday morning service live-streamed into Panamanians' homes all over the country.

Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa offered a homily that gives you a sense of how Panamanians are feeling right now. Sovereignty and the good name of Panama are not given away or negotiated, he said from the pulpit. They are defended with determination and love for the homeland. Trump's focus on the canal has brought out a nationalistic streak here in Panama.

Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa offered a homily that gives you a sense of how Panamanians are feeling right now. Sovereignty and the good name of Panama are not given away or negotiated, he said from the pulpit. They are defended with determination and love for the homeland. Trump's focus on the canal has brought out a nationalistic streak here in Panama.

Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa offered a homily that gives you a sense of how Panamanians are feeling right now. Sovereignty and the good name of Panama are not given away or negotiated, he said from the pulpit. They are defended with determination and love for the homeland. Trump's focus on the canal has brought out a nationalistic streak here in Panama.

The country's flag flutters along roadsides, on buildings and in front yards. Panamanians told me they don't even see this many flags on Independence Day. After Sunday morning services, Secretary Rubio met with Panama's President José Raúl Mulino. Here's how the president described that meeting.

The country's flag flutters along roadsides, on buildings and in front yards. Panamanians told me they don't even see this many flags on Independence Day. After Sunday morning services, Secretary Rubio met with Panama's President José Raúl Mulino. Here's how the president described that meeting.

The country's flag flutters along roadsides, on buildings and in front yards. Panamanians told me they don't even see this many flags on Independence Day. After Sunday morning services, Secretary Rubio met with Panama's President José Raúl Mulino. Here's how the president described that meeting.

I didn't feel any sense of controversy, just a climate of respect, he said. The State Department described things differently. According to a spokesperson's statement, Rubio told Molino that President Trump has made a preliminary determination that China has too much influence over the canal, which he says violates international treaties. The statement continued, quote,

I didn't feel any sense of controversy, just a climate of respect, he said. The State Department described things differently. According to a spokesperson's statement, Rubio told Molino that President Trump has made a preliminary determination that China has too much influence over the canal, which he says violates international treaties. The statement continued, quote,