Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has announced that following his meeting yesterday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Panama has decided not to renew its 2017 deal with China, regarding their “Belt and Road Initiative.” The country will look towards voiding their agreement with the Chinese government prior to its written end dates in 2027 and 2028.
“I don’t sense any real threat against the treaty or its validity, and much less of the use of military force to take over the canal,” he said in Spanish. “I don’t sense that.”
In a previously statement to X, President Mulino posted, saying, translated to English, “In the name of the Republic of Panama and its people, I categorically reject the words outlined by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal in his inaugural speech.”
During his inaugural address, Trump told Americans, “We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy, and above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
The Panamanian government had previously claimed that China is not in control of the canal with Mulino saying, “China does not control or administer the canal. When it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag,” per Newsweek.
This Story originally came from humanevents.com