Some U.S. lawmakers and officials are touting a nearly half-century-old treaty between the United States and Panama to justify the Trump administration's threat to reclaim the Panama Canal - provided it can show the strategic waterway's operation is under threat.

Newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is embarking on a tour of Central America to counter China's influence. The diplomatic tour will take Rubio to meet with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino,

Jose Raul Mulino said he won't discuss control of the canal during the secretary of state's visit. Rubio, in contrast, said "we're going to address that topic."