In a decisive stance, Panama's President José Raúl Mulino has dismissed any discussions about the ownership of the Panama Canal during the upcoming visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This declaration comes in response to recent threats made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who asserted that the United States may seek to reclaim the strategically critical waterway, claiming it is effectively controlled by China. “We didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump stated in his recent inaugural address, stirring concerns in Panama regarding perceived U.S. intentions over the canal's management. According to South China Morning Post, Mulino emphatically stated, “I cannot negotiate, much less open a process of negotiation on the canal. That [the matter] is sealed. The canal is Panama’s.”

At a press conference, Mulino expressed confusion over Trump’s allegations, emphasizing that Panama has full control over the canal's operations, which is managed by the autonomous Panama Canal Authority (ACP). He detailed that the Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, operates ports at either end of the 82-km waterway, highlighting that this does not equate to control over the canal itself. Mulino stated, “The ports are not under the control of governments or military forces of any nation,” in response to U.S. concerns regarding potential Chinese influence.

Furthermore, Mulino reinforced the vital role of the canal in global trade, noting that approximately 40% of all U.S. container traffic passes through it, adding that the canal is a treaty-protected entity established under agreements that came into force in 1999. “There are many important issues to discuss with Secretary Rubio, including migration, security, and drug trafficking,” he reiterated, steering the conversation towards regional cooperation rather than conflict over the canal. As reported by The Guardian, Mulino had previously conveyed that Panama is seeking to clarify misconceptions regarding the involvement of Chinese interests.

This diplomatic tension reflects broader U.S.-China rivalry, where the Panama Canal stands as a crucial asset due to its strategic location linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, greatly facilitating maritime trade. Trump's remarks have prompted a response not only from Panama but also from China, both of which have denied the claims of meddling and emphasized the importance of the canal's neutrality and operational sovereignty. "The Panama Canal is controlled by Panama, and its administration has always been in Panamanian hands," Mulino stressed emphatically, ensuring that national pride and sovereignty remain at the forefront of Panama's stance.

The ongoing developments underscore Panama's commitment to maintaining its autonomy over the canal amidst external pressures, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic discourse over military threats during Rubio's visit. For further details on this evolving situation, refer to Los Angeles Times.