Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says China is a threat to the Panama Canal and that the U.S. will ensure its security. 

The Chinese government responded to Hegseth's remarks by saying, "Who represents the real threat to the Canal? People will make their own judgement," according to The Associated Press.

Hegseth said Tuesday at a naval base after meeting with Panama President José Raúl Mulino that the U.S. would not let China or any other country threaten the canal. 

The canal is important to global trade and used by many countries such as China, Japan and South Korea. 

“To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades,” Hegseth said. 

President Donald Trump in the past has said that he wants to take back control of the Panama Canal, arguing that Panama has allowed China to gain too much control over it.