President-elect Trump's recent comments about the Panama Canal have sparked a response from Panama's President José Raúl Mulino. Trump suggested that the United States should try to regain control of the canal, claiming that the country was being taken advantage of. In a video statement, President Mulino emphasized that every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to do so.
Mulino addressed Trump's concerns about rising fees for ships crossing the canal, explaining that the tariffs are set based on operational costs and supply and demand factors. He highlighted Panama's efforts to expand the canal to accommodate increased ship traffic and stated that fee increases contribute to funding improvements.
