US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has walked back the assertion of the State Department that Panama “has agreed to no longer charge fees” to US government vessels transiting the Panama Canal after outcry from the Panamanian government.

U.S. government vessels are being allowed to transit the Panama Canal without being charged fees, the U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday evening. The big picture: The move comes days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama and warned officials there to curb Chinese influence as President Trump seeks to regain control of the Panama Canal.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend the G20 meeting in South Africa, the top U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday, days after President Donald Trump threatened to cut off funding to the African country.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday evening he was boycotting the G20 meeting in South Africa scheduled for later this month over the country's controversial land expropriation law.