- Title: Panama's president reaffirms sovereignty over Panama canal after Trump threats
- Date: 22nd December 2024
- Summary: PANAMA CANAL, PANAMA (FILE - SEPTEMBER 12, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VESSEL CROSSING CANAL LOCKS VISITORS LOOKING AT VESSEL VESSEL CROSSING CANAL
- Embargoed: 5th January 2025 23:39
- Keywords: Donald Trump Panama Panama Canal President Jose Raul Mulino U.S passage shipping sovereignty trade
- Location: PANAMA CANAL, PANAMA CITY, MIRAFLORES LOCKS, PANAMA
- City: PANAMA CANAL, PANAMA CITY, MIRAFLORES LOCKS, PANAMA
- Country: Panama
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001893922122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino reaffirmed the country's sovereignty over the Panama Canal on Sunday (December 22) after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to retake the canal.
"Every square metre of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belong to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama," Mulino said in a recorded statement released on X, adding that Panama's sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.
He also defended the passage rates Panama charges, saying they were not set "on a whim".
Trump threatened on Sunday to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage. Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Arizona, Trump also said he would not let the canal fall into the "wrong hands", warning of potential Chinese influence on the passage.
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