Panama refuses to negotiate with Trump on canal, rejects China's influence

Panama City [Panama], December 27: Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino ruled out negotiations over control of the Panama Canal, insisting that China does not interfere in canal operations and declaring that there will be no reduction in fees for US ships.
AFP news agency on December 27 quoted Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino as ruling out the possibility of negotiating with US President-elect Donald Trump over control of the Panama Canal , while denying China's interference in the canal's operations.
Mr Mulino also ruled out reducing fees for US ships, in response to Mr Trump's threat to demand the return of control of the vital waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
"There is nothing to talk about. The canal belongs to Panama and belongs to the Panamanian people. There is no possibility of opening any discussion around this reality, which has cost the country blood, sweat and tears," according to the leader of the Central American nation.
The canal, which was inaugurated in 1914 and built by the United States, was handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999, under treaties signed about two decades earlier between then-US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos.
On December 21, Mr. Trump criticized the "ridiculous" fees for American ships passing through the canal and alluded to China's growing influence.
"It is for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else. We will never let it fall into the wrong hands," Trump wrote on the Truth Social social network, adding that the US would demand "return" of the canal if Panama did not ensure "secure, efficient and reliable operation" of the canal.
An estimated 5% of global maritime traffic passes through the Panama Canal, allowing ships traveling between Asia and the US East Coast to avoid the long and dangerous route around the southern tip of South America.
The United States is the main user of the canal, accounting for 74% of goods, followed by China with 21%.
"There is absolutely no interference or involvement by China in anything related to the Panama Canal ," President Mulino affirmed, while rejecting another accusation by Mr. Trump that Chinese soldiers were illegally operating the canal.
Panama established diplomatic relations with China in 2017, after cutting ties with Taiwan.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper