“We never intervened” in the Panama Canal
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, “China does not participate in the management and operation of the canal and has never interfered in its affairs.”
Panama rejects Trump’s statements
Panama rejected statements by US President Donald Trump, in which he pledged to “restore” the Panama Canal, stressing that the waterway would remain under its control.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Molino said in a statement on a social media network: “I completely reject the words of President Donald Trump.”
“The canal is Panamanian and will remain so,” he stressed, rejecting Trump’s suggestion that the canal is operated by China.
“No country in the world is present or involved,” Molyneux said.
The United States built and opened the canal in 1914, and it was handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999 under treaties signed in the 1970s during the era of President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian nationalist leader Omar Torrijos.
Stupid gift
Donald Trump had stated in his inauguration speech as President of the United States that his country would demand the return of the Panama Canal, saying, “We gave it to Panama, and we will take it back again.”
The Associated Press quoted Trump as saying: “We were treated very badly because of this foolish gift that should have never been given.”
Tariffs on American ships
The US President added: “Panama has broken its promise to us, and has completely violated the purpose of the agreement and the spirit of the treaty. American ships are being charged extremely high fees, and they are not being treated fairly in any way, shape or form, including the US Navy.”
“Above all, China runs the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re going to take it back,” Trump said.
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