Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino firmly ruled out negotiations with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump regarding control of the Panama Canal, asserting that the vital waterway remains solely under Panamanian authority. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mulino dismissed claims of Chinese interference and rejected the possibility of reducing tolls for U.S. vessels, despite Trump’s threats.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Mulino declared. “The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians. There’s no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around this reality, which has cost the country blood, sweat, and tears.”
The canal, a critical link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was built by the United States and operated under U.S. control until its handover to Panama on December 31, 1999, following treaties signed by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos.
Trump recently criticized the canal’s tolls for U.S. ships as “ridiculous” and suggested that China’s influence over the canal was growing. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, “If Panama cannot ensure the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the canal, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.”
Trump further alleged, without evidence, that Chinese soldiers were illegally operating the canal. Mulino strongly denied these claims, saying, “There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God.”
Mulino emphasized that the canal’s tolls are determined through a transparent and public process, not subject to the whims of political leaders. He also reiterated that there is no Chinese involvement in the canal’s operations, countering Trump’s unsubstantiated remarks.
“There is absolutely no Chinese interference or participation in anything to do with the Panama Canal,” Mulino said.
Panama established diplomatic relations with China in 2017 after severing ties with Taiwan, a decision previously criticized by the Trump administration. The canal, which handles an estimated 5% of global maritime traffic, remains crucial for international trade, with the United States accounting for 74% of its cargo and China for 21%.
On Tuesday, anti-Trump demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, protesting Trump’s remarks. Chanting “Trump, animal, leave the canal alone,” the crowd burned an effigy of the incoming U.S. president.
As tensions escalate, Trump has nominated Kevin Marino Cabrera, a Miami-Dade County commissioner, to serve as ambassador to Panama. Describing Cabrera as “a fierce fighter for America First principles,” Trump expressed confidence in his ability to represent U.S. interests effectively in the region.
The dispute underscores the geopolitical importance of the Panama Canal and its role in U.S.-China relations, with Panama reaffirming its sovereignty over the strategic waterway.
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