https://arab.news/zpmt6
- Trump also complained of China鈥檚 growing influence around the canal, a worrying trend for American interests as US businesses depend on the channel to move goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
PANAMA CITY: Panama鈥檚 president Jose Raul Mulino on Sunday dismissed recent threats made by US President-elect Donald Trump to retake control of the Panama Canal over complaints of 鈥渦nfair鈥� treatment of American ships.
鈥淓very square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama,鈥� Mulino said in a video posted to X.
Mulino鈥檚 public comments, though never mentioning Trump by name, come a day after the president-elect complained about the canal on his Truth Social platform.
鈥淥ur Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous,鈥� he said.
Trump also complained of China鈥檚 growing influence around the canal, a worrying trend for American interests as US businesses depend on the channel to move goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
鈥淚t was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else,鈥� Trump said. 鈥淲e would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!鈥�
The Panama Canal, which was completed by the United States in 1914, was returned to the Central American country under a 1977 deal signed by Democratic president Jimmy Carter.
Panama took full control in 1999.
Trump said that if Panama could not ensure 鈥渢he secure, efficient and reliable operation鈥� of the channel, 鈥渢hen we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.鈥�
Mulino rejected Trump鈥檚 claims in his video message, though he also said he hopes to have 鈥渁 good and respectful relationship鈥� with the incoming administration.
鈥淭he canal has no direct or indirect control from China, nor the European Union, nor the United States or any other power,鈥� Mulino said. 鈥淎s a Panamanian, I reject any manifestation that misrepresents this reality.鈥�
Later on Sunday, Trump responded to Mulino鈥檚 dismissal, writing on Truth Social: 鈥淲e鈥檒l see about that!鈥�