Panama's president rejects Trump's claim on canal control and defends independence

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino rejected Donald Trump's recent comments about retaking control of the Panama Canal. Mulino emphasized that Panama's independence is non-negotiable and defended the canal's passage rates as fair. Trump claimed the U.S. was being "ripped off" by the canal's fees and warned against potential Chinese influence. He stated that if Panama did not treat the U.S. fairly, the canal should be returned to American control. The U.S. transferred control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after decades of administration. Trump's remarks mark a significant shift in U.S. diplomacy, as he suggested the possibility of reclaiming territory from a sovereign nation.