This story was originally published by the WND News Center.

Officials in Panama abruptly changed course on Sunday regarding China's influence over and control of the Panama Canal, built and paid for by the United States, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared with them President Donald Trump's concerns over that influence, and his intent that it should not continue.

A report from Fox News explained Jose Raul Mulina, the president of Panama, confirmed he would not renew a 2017 memorandum of understanding in which his nation joined China's Belt and Road initiative.

Under that program, China funds the construction and development of infrastructure, such as ports, and then takes control of them for its own profit and empire building.

In the case of the canal, it has worked on ports at both ends, creating the possibility that it could shut down the canal if it seemed in the best interests of the Chinese Communist Party. It also has been building bridges over the canal, which would offer the same option.

Trump has publicly warned that Panama actually has ceded control of the canal to China, which would be in violation of the original treaty that turned operations over to Panama, and that America would no longer allow its interests and security to be compromised like that.

Mulino claimed Panamanian control would remain, but the dealing with China is ending.

"I think this visit opens the door to build new relations … and try to increase as much as possible U.S. investments in Panama," Mulino said after meeting with Rubio.

Rubio had explained "the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area."

The canal was built over decades by the U.S. and finished in 1914. It was President Jimmy Carter who handed it over to Panama.

In Congress, there's already a bill in the House for the U.S. to repurchase the canal.

Trump, in fact, has said he would not rule out the use of the military to regain control of the canal, an option he explained the original treaty includes.