This is reported by RBK-Ukraine, citing New York Post. The information comes from Kontrakty.UA.
The leader of the Central American nation opposed Trump's suggestion that the United States could demand the return of control over the Panama Canal after the elected U.S. president takes office in January 2025.
Trump explained his claims by stating that Panama allegedly charges excessive fees for using this waterway and criticized Panama's management methods of the canal.
"We are being ripped off on the Panama Canal just like everywhere else," the Republican said on December 22 while addressing a large audience at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest festival in Arizona.
According to Trump, if "the principles, both moral and legal, of this generous gesture of gifting are not adhered to, then we will demand the return of the Panama Canal to the United States of America in full, quickly and without questions."
In turn, Mulino clearly stated on his social media account that "every square meter of the Panama Canal and the adjacent territory belongs to Panama and will remain (Panamanian)."
The president of Panama emphasized that "the sovereignty and independence of our country are not up for discussion."
"Every Panamanian, whether here or anywhere in the world, carries this in their heart, and it is part of our history of struggle," he declared.
Questions Regarding Canal Usage Fees
According to Mulino, the tariffs set for shippers using the Panama Canal, through which 14,000 ships pass annually, are not established arbitrarily.
"They are and will be set publicly and transparently, considering market conditions, international conditions, operational costs, and the needs for maintenance and modernization of interoceanic waterways," the Panamanian president explained.
Trump's Reaction to Mulino's Statement
Reacting to Mulino's statements about intentions to keep the canal under Panamanian management, Trump responded on the social media platform Truth Social, "We’ll see about that!"
Note: The U.S. built the Panama Canal in the early 1900s to assist commercial and military ships in traveling between their coasts.
In 1999, the United States relinquished ownership of the waterway, more than 20 years after then-President Jimmy Carter signed the relevant agreement with Panama.
Other Territorial "Initiatives" by Trump
The threat from 78-year-old Donald Trump regarding control over the Panama Canal is not his first "territorial claim" as a politician.
Previously, he expressed his desire for Canada to become a state of the U.S.
Additionally, earlier on Sunday, he also proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. This came amid the announcement of the newly elected president's appointment of PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as the U.S. ambassador to this European country.
It is worth noting that in 2019, Trump during his first presidency confirmed U.S. interest in purchasing Greenland.
Also, in 2021, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. had definitively abandoned the idea of purchasing Greenland.