‘There’s nothing to talk about’ with Trump about Panama Canal, says Mulino

“The channel belongs to Panama and Panamanians, there is no possibility of opening any type of conversation about this reality, which cost the country tears, sweat and blood,” he added.

The Panama Canal, built by the United States and opened in 1914, was transferred to Panamanian hands on December 31, 1999, pursuant to treaties signed in 1977 by then-American president Jimmy Carter and Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos.

On Saturday, Trump threatened to regain control of the canal if the price of tolls for American ships was not reduced, despite the fact that the tariff paid by ships is determined by their capacity and the cargo transported, and not by the country of origin.

Mulino also rejected any changes to tolls this Thursday.

“On the canal, tolls are not defined to the liking of the president or the administrator (of the interoceanic route). There is an established process to set the canal’s tolls, which has been respected from the first day until today, being a public and open process “, stated Mulino.

Trump also accused China of being behind the operations of this route that connects the Pacific to the Atlantic, operated by the Panama Canal Authority, a public and autonomous Panamanian entity.