Panama dismisses Trump's threat to retake control of Canal

NEWS WIRES

22 December 2024 at 9:27 pm·1-min read

This handout picture released by the Panama Canal Authority on August 30, 2024 shows the container ship MSC Marie transiting the Panama Canal in Panama.

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, calling them baseless and affirming Panama’s sovereignty over the waterway. Trump had raised concerns about the canal's management, alleging "unfair" treatment of American ships, and alleged Chinese influence.

Panama's 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 "unfair" treatment of American ships.

"Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama," Mulino said in a video posted to X.

Mulino's public comments, though never mentioning Trump by name, come a day after the president-elect complained about the canal on his Truth Social platform.

"Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous," he said.

Trump also complained of China's 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.

"It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else," Trump said. "We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!"

Panama took full control in 1999.

Trump said that if Panama could not ensure "the secure, efficient and reliable operation" of the channel, "then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question."

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