Trump threatens to take back control of the canal, Panamanian president rules out negotiations

Panamanian President Murino on Thursday ruled out negotiations with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump over control of the Panama Canal, while denying Chinese interference in its operations. Murino also rejected the possibility of lowering tolls for U.S. ships, responding to Trump’s threat to take back control of the vital waterway linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. “There is nothing to talk about,” Murino told a news conference. “This canal belongs to Panama and the Panamanian people. There is no possibility of any kind of talks about this reality, which Panama has paid blood, sweat and tears for.” The canal, built by the United States, was completed in 1914 but was handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999, under a treaty signed about 20 years ago by then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian nationalist leader Torrejos. Trump on Thursday criticized the tolls charged to U.S. ships to pass through the Panama Canal as “ridiculous” and hinted at China’s growing influence. Trump posted on Truth Social, his own social media platform, that “this is entirely managed by Panama, not China or anyone else. We will never let it fall into the wrong hands.” Trump said that if Panama cannot ensure the “safe, efficient and reliable operation” of the canal, “we will demand that Panama return the canal to us in full and without question.” The Panama Canal accounts for an estimated 5% of global maritime trade, allowing ships traveling between Asia and the East Coast of the United States to avoid the long and dangerous route around the southern tip of South America. The United States is the main user of the Panama Canal, accounting for 74% of total cargo volume, and China is second with 21%. Murino said: “There is absolutely no Chinese interference or involvement in the operation of the Panama Canal.” Trump alleged yesterday on Truth Social without providing evidence that Chinese soldiers “lovingly but illegally operate the Panama Canal.” Murino denied that this was the case. He said: “There are no Chinese soldiers in this canal, for God’s sake.”