Panama president rejects negotiations with Trump over canal control
ndtv.com —
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has ruled out any negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal. He emphasized that the canal is owned by Panama and dismissed claims of Chinese interference in its operations. Mulino rejected Trump's criticism of canal tolls for US vessels and stated that fees are determined through a public process. He also denied Trump's allegations of Chinese soldiers operating in the canal, asserting there is no Chinese military presence. The Panama Canal, which opened in 1914, was transferred from US control to Panama in 1999. It is a crucial route for global maritime traffic, with the US being the largest user.