US President-elect Donald Trump threatened With resume control of the Panama Canal, accusing isthmus charge excessive fees for its useor, prompting a strong response from the Central American government, which asserted its sovereignty over the passage between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

In a Saturday evening post on his social media site, Truth Social, Trump also warned that he would not allow the channel to fall into the “wrong hands” and appeared to warn of possible Chinese influence in the move. they write that the channel should not be managed by an Asian giant.

This Sunday, after being rebuffed by the Panamanian authorities, Trump posted a photo created with the help of artificial intelligence, in which the US flag is visible in the middle of the canal; He also wrote “We’ll see” to accompany the president’s statement. Jose Raul Mulino.

Let’s see this! (Let’s see!)

China does not control or operate the channel. However, a subsidiary of CK Hutchinson Holdings in Hong Kong operates two ports located at the Caribbean and Pacific entrances of the canal respectively.

The message was an extremely rare example of an American leader saying he could apply pressure. sovereign country to give it territory. It also underscores an expected shift in American diplomacy under Trump, who has historically not shied away from threatening allies and using belligerent rhetoric with his counterparts.

“The tariffs that Panama charges are ridiculous, especially considering the extraordinary generosity shown to Panama by the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“It was not provided for the benefit of others, but simply as a demonstration of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this generous gesture of donation are not respected, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in its entirety and without question“, wrote.

On Sunday afternoon, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded with a message to the nation and assured that “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue to do so. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable.”

“Rates are not a whim, they are set publicly (…) taking into account market conditions, international competition, operating costs,” he said.

Mulino added that neither China nor any other world power has direct or indirect control over the interoceanic route.

About 3.1% of Panama’s GDP comes from the canal, but the isthmus’s economy revolves around activities in the passage.

REFUSAL

Criticism of Trump’s statements has intensified among politicians and various figures in Panama.

“President-elect Trump’s statements about the Panama Canal are regrettable,” said Alberto Aleman, the canal’s administrator from 1996 to 2012. “The transfer of the canal to Panama was a long process of struggle, sacrifice, difficult negotiations and historic efforts by both countries.”

The United States largely built the canal and administered the area around the pass for nearly a century. But both countries signed in 1977 Torrijos-Carter treaties, which paved the way for the canal to return to Panama’s control on the last day of 1999.

“Any opposition (to the treaties) has no legal force or support throughout the planet. Our channel’s mission is to serve humanity and its commerce,” Mulino said.

The waterway, through which up to 14,000 ships pass each year, accounts for 2.5% of global maritime trade and is critical for U.S. imports of cars and commercial goods on container ships from Asia, as well as exports of raw materials including liquefied natural gas. gas (LNG).

It is unclear how Trump will try to regain control of the channel, and he will have no recourse under international law if he decides to play for passage.

This is not the first time Trump has openly considered the possibility of territorial expansion.

He has repeatedly mused in recent weeks about the possibility of Canada becoming an American state, although it is unclear how seriously he takes the issue.

During his first term (2017–2021), Trump expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish authorities publicly rejected his proposal even before negotiations began.