Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said Sunday that the canal will remain under his country’s control after President-elect Donald Trump said the United States will seize control of the canal.
“As president, I want to clearly state that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjoining zone is Panama’s and will remain so,” Mulino said Sunday. “The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable.”
Mulino’s statement comes after Trump doubled down on his comments about retaking the canal while speaking at a Turning Point USA conference earlier on Sunday.
“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question,” Trump said. “We’re not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly.”
The comment comes after Trump said on Truth Social Saturday that the United States is being “ripped off” at the Panama Canal and has insinuated that China is gaining influence over the waterway, according to Politico.
Responding to Trump’s comments about the US being ripped off over new fees Mulino explained that they were implemented after careful consideration.
“They are established publicly and in an open hearing, considering market conditions, international competition, operating costs, and the maintenance and modernization needs of the interoceanic route,” he said.
“That is how we achieved the expansion of the canal in 2016, which today represents greater economic and commercial growth, generating more wealth and opportunities throughout the world and its commerce,” My links continued. “The canal has no direct or indirect control, neither from China, nor from the European Community, nor from the United States or from any other power.”
Trump responded to Mulino’s comments on Sunday saying, “We’ll see about that!”
