On Saturday, Trump stated on Truth Social that Panama had been charging US vessels hefty fees to travel through the canal, adding that the States would be allowed to take the canal back under the terms of the same treaties that gave Panama its control of it in the first place. “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,” Trump wrote.
Trump doubled down on his statement on Sunday during his appearance at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix, AZ. “We’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” he said. "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 the United States of America in full, quickly and without question ... We’re not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly."
Mulino then responded "As president, I want to clearly state that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjoining zone is Panama’s and will remain so. The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable." He added that Panamanians carry the canal "in their heart" and view it as a part of their country's history."
However the canal was built by the United States in the early 1900s to facilitate travel for commercial and military ships, The New York Post recounts. Panama was happy to let the US control the area after receiving help in gaining independence from Colombia. Jimmy Carter then signed 2 treaties with Panama in 1977 that phased out the US's control of the canal. It was officially relinquished in 1999 under the Clinton administration.
Mulino refuted that the US was being charged inflated rates to use the canal and said that established rates for shippers are not set randomly. “They are and will be established, publicly and in an open audience, considering market conditions, international conditions, operating costs and the maintenance and modernization needs of the interoceanic waterway,” he said.
In response to Mulino's statement that Panama would not be relinquishing the canal to the US, Trump posted "We'll see about that!"
