Panama Prez Snubs Donald Trump on Taking over Panama Canal
Panama President José Raúl Mulino in a meeting with his predecessors. Image credit @JoseEaulMulino
Mulino Trashes Trump Claim of China Controlling Panama Canal
By Raisina Correspondent
New Delhi, December 27: Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino trashed claims of the US President-elect Donald Trump of China controlling the Panama Canal. Mulino also asserted that the Panama Canal is integral to the Panamanian sovereignty.
Mulino’s sharp rebuttal came amid Trump accusing Panama of overcharging the US cargo ships. At a ‘Turning Around’ Talk, Trump had threatened take over the Panama Canal. He alleged that Panama has been charging excessive rates while giving discounts to Chinese cargo ships.
Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It remains critical for maritime trade. Mulino also asserted that Panama will offer no discounts to the US cargo ships.
“The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable, and are part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest. Message to the Panamanian people and the international community from the former presidents of the Republic and our government,” Mulino said after holding a meeting with his predecessors.
The Panamanian president also rejected suggestions that he would hold negotiations with Trump. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had flown for a dinner meeting with Trump after the US President-elect had made threatening remarks against Ottawa over trade deficit.
“Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to Panama and will remain so,” Mulino said in a video message on Sunday. His remarks came after Trump made menacing remarks to retake the Panama Canal.
China Xinhua News in a report said that the “Panama Canal is a reminder of Panama’s struggle for independence with the 1964 Flag Protests etched in the memories as key moments of history”. The BBC also in a report quoted Mulino denying claims made by Trump of Chinese soldiers stationed at the Panama Canal. Mulino termed the charges as “nonsense”.
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“There is absolutely no Chinese interference. There is not a single Chinese soldier in the canal,” Mulino has been quoted by local media reports. He rejected the possibility of reducing tolls for US ships or ceding control of the canal, Global Times in a report said.
Bloomberg in a report said that Mulino rejected claims of China owning stakes in the Panama Canal. He told the reporters in the Panama City that the “US warships pay the same toll rates as other nations”. He rejected the charges that China was interfering in the operation of the Panama Canal.
“The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians,’ Mulino said while addressing a press conference where he also stated that there is “no possibility of opening any kind of conversation around this reality”. “The Panama Canal has cost the country blood, sweat and tears,” Mulino said in the press conference.
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