Panama City, Feb. 3 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned Panama about China's influence and control over the Panama Canal, calling the situation "unacceptable" and said that the US will take "necessary measures" if changes are not made.

During a meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez on Sunday in Panama City, Rubio conveyed US President Donald Trump's concerns.

US President Donald Trump "has made a preliminary determination that the current position of influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area is a threat," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

Rubio made it clear that the current situation is "unacceptable" and in ...