The Panamanian government has firmly rejected US President-elect Donald Trump's claims over the Panama Canal, DPA reported.
"Sovereignty over our canal is non-negotiable," Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha said at a press conference. "The only hands that control the canal are the Panamanians, and it will remain that way," he added, emphasizing that the canal serves humanity and world trade.
Last month, Trump called the fees for American ships to pass through the Panama Canal grossly unfair and demanded that control of the waterway be returned to the United States if they are not treated more fairly.
At a press conference in Florida last night, the US president-elect did not rule out using military or economic coercion to gain control of the Panama Canal.
"I'm not going to commit to that now. Maybe, maybe something will have to be done," Trump said. He stressed that the canal is vital to the United States. According to him, however, the canal is "run by China".
The canal is one of the world's most important trade routes. It was built by the United States in the early 20th century, and its administration was gradually transferred to Panama. The fees imposed by Panama are believed to be in line with market rates, based on the size and displacement of the vessels passing through.