Panama and China have strongly rebuffed statements made by United States President Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal.
In response to Trump’s threats to take control of the strategic waterway, Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino stated on Wednesday that the Panama Canal was not a favor from the US. Additionally, Beijing rejected Trump’s claim that China essentially controls the canal.
“We completely reject everything that Mr. Trump has said,” Mulino stated during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “It is false and inaccurate, and the Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will continue to do so. It was not a concession or gift from the United States.”
Trump has hinted at the possibility of using military action to take over the canal, which the US constructed in 1914 to connect its east and west coasts before handing it over to Panama in 1999.
During his inauguration, Trump reiterated his claim that China was effectively controlling the canal, which he believes was mistakenly given to Panama, due to China’s increasing presence in the region.
“We did not give the canal to China, we gave it to Panama. And we will be taking it back,” Trump proclaimed.
‘Never interfered’
Panama City lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations on Tuesday, citing a UN Charter article that prohibits any member from using or threatening to use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another member.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Panama requested that the UN Security Council, where the US holds a veto, address the issue.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Wednesday, “China does not participate in the management and operation of the canal and has never meddled in its affairs.”
Mulino has previously affirmed that no country interferes with the operations of the Panama Canal, which operates on the principle of neutrality.
However, Panama has announced plans to conduct an audit of the canal and the Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings based in Hong Kong, which manages the ports of Balboa and Cristobal at each end of the canal.
In addition to expressing his determination to seize control of the Panama Canal, Trump has also caused concern and amusement with threats to use military or economic pressure to compel Denmark to sell Greenland to the US and to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
