Panama Rejects Trump's Call to Reclaim Canal Control

President-elect Trump alleges unfair fees and Chinese influence over the Panama Canal, but Panama's president firmly denies the claims.

President-elect Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. should reclaim control of the Panama Canal, citing 'ridiculous' fees and unsubstantiated claims of Chinese military involvement.
Panama's President José Raúl Mulino dismissed Trump's statements as 'nonsense,' affirming that the canal is sovereign Panamanian territory and not for sale.
The Panama Canal Authority, a Panamanian government agency, has managed the canal since 1999 and denies any foreign control or influence over its operations.
Trump's rhetoric aligns with his broader 'America First' foreign policy, which includes re-evaluating international agreements and reducing perceived foreign dependencies.
Panama has emphasized the canal's neutrality and its importance as a global trade route, with two-thirds of its traffic connected to U.S. ports.