In Panama, Agricultural minister Laurentino Cortizo resigned Tuesday, saying the US was pushing low agricultural inspection standards that could expose his country to “catastrophic consequences of plagues and diseases.” In his letter of resignation, Cortizo wrote: “Panama should not, under any circumstance, set the precedent of not applying our health inspection laws in force because another country wants to sell its products.” His resignation comes as US and Panamanian officials are in Washington negotiating a trade agreement.