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From Fox News: Panama’s president has responded to President-elect Trump’s idea that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal.
After Trump said Sunday that the United States “foolishly gave it away” and is now “being ripped off” at the waterway, Panama’s conservative President José Raúl Mulino released a video declaring that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to his country.
Without mentioning Trump by name, Mulino addressed Trump’s complaints over rising fees for ships crossing the canal, saying they are set by experts who take into account operational costs, and supply and demand factors.
“The tariffs are not set on a whim,” Mulino said. He noted that Panama has expanded the canal over the years to increase ship traffic “on its own initiative,” and added that shipping fee increases help pay for improvements.
“Panamanians may have different views on many issues,” Mulino said. “But when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.”
Mulino posted his full statement in writing, both in Spanish and in English.
Mensaje del Presidente José Raúl Mulino
Statement from President Jose Raul Mulino pic.twitter.com/BZmrihicLE— José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) December 22, 2024
It’s about to get spicy
Panama’s President responds to Trump:
“Every square meter of the canal and its surrounding area is sovereign Panamanian territory.” https://t.co/dTIqds6dSJ pic.twitter.com/iRG0BZQ4l4
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 22, 2024
Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has now jumped up and declared she is standing in solidarity with Panama.
La presidenta de México, @Claudiashein, expresó solidaridad al pueblo panameño ante las declaraciones del presidente electo de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, de que buscará retomar el control del Canal de Panamá.
“Nuestra solidaridad, nuestro apoyo al presidente de Panamá, al… pic.twitter.com/MgYYZq4piT
— Telemetro Reporta (@TReporta) December 23, 2024
Trump fired back to Mulino’s statement by writing on Truth Social, “We’ll see about that!”
Trump then daringly posted a photo of a US flag on a ship going through the canal and taunted, “Welcome to the United States Canal!”
Panama responded to Trump’s tweet about the Panama Canal.
Then Trump responded by renaming the canal with “welcome to the United States Canal”. pic.twitter.com/snYqWnrdM1
— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) December 22, 2024
Trump doubled down in a speech at the AmFest event in Phoenix on Sunday, saying, “The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security. 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 us, in full, and without question.”
WATCH:
The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security.
If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama… pic.twitter.com/Xrtx8Bk2UW
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 22, 2024
Panama’s president hits back at Trump idea to reclaim key canal https://t.co/n7SYq23og5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 23, 2024
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