Panama Canal Chief Refutes Trump’s Claims on China and Fees

[Social Media]

 

Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, the head of the Panama Canal Authority, has strongly refuted claims made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding China’s alleged control over the crucial trade route and issues surrounding canal fees. In an interview with *The Wall Street Journal*, Vásquez Morales labeled Trump's assertions as “unfounded,” emphasizing that China has no role in the canal’s operations.

 

"China has no involvement whatsoever in our operations," Vásquez Morales stated, addressing the widespread concerns sparked by Trump's comments. He reassured that the Panama Canal operates under strict adherence to international law and the neutrality treaty, which prevents favoritism toward any country, including China and the U.S. "There are no exceptions to the rules, and we cannot discriminate for China, the U.S., or anyone else," he clarified. "This will violate the neutrality treaty, international law, and it will lead to chaos."

 

Trump has persistently suggested that the U.S. should regain control over the Panama Canal, a sentiment he reiterated during a recent press conference. Trump refused to rule out the possibility of deploying the U.S. military to seize control of the canal. "Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country, it's being operated by China, China," Trump stated. "And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn’t give it to China."

 

However, the Panama Canal has been under Panamanian control since 1999, following an agreement initiated by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Despite Trump’s assertions, Vásquez Morales pointed out that while China has made significant investments in Panama through construction projects and manages two of the country’s five major ports, this does not equate to controlling the canal.

 

Trump also claimed that Panama was seeking $3 billion for canal repairs and suggested that American shipping and U.S. Navy ships are subjected to higher fees. Vásquez Morales dismissed these allegations, stating that Panama has not requested any funds from the U.S. for the canal and expressed uncertainty about the financial references made by Trump. "We have not requested any funds from the U.S. for the canal, and I'm unsure what money he is referring to," he told *The Wall Street Journal*.

 

Moreover, Vásquez Morales denied any discriminatory fee practices against U.S. ships. He underscored that U.S. Navy vessels receive priority passage through the canal as stipulated by the treaty. "U.S. Navy vessels, in accordance with the treaty, get priority passage through the canal," he affirmed, countering the narrative of preferential treatment or increased charges for American ships.

 

In the face of Trump's provocative comments, Vásquez Morales remains steadfast in upholding the Panama Canal's neutrality and independence, ensuring its operations are free from external political influences and maintaining the integrity of this vital global trade route.

 

Based on a report by The Hill 2024-01-10

 

 

[gargamon]

Who could possibly believe it? Trump telling lies.

[Tug]

He’s just lying creating rancor and mistrust it’s one of his favorite things to do.its akin to kicking the ant hill……except he is soon to be president ……

[pegman]

Funny how he didn't tell the public about all these plans while he was running for election. 

[newbee2022]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

Vásquez Morales remains steadfast in upholding the Panama Canal's neutrality and independence

Thank you. If Trump will not listen ban his ships passing the canal

[Tug]

56 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Thank you. If Trump will not listen ban his ships passing the canal

Ahh trump has no ships,that being said if they refuse the United States Navy access then we will take it no doubt about it.also I do not condone trumps bellicose statements in the name of my country.unfortunately we are stuck with him.

[newbee2022]

9 minutes ago, Tug said:

unfortunately we are stuck with him.

Yeah, I pity you and the rest of the planet. 🤗

[Purdey]

Panama can disprove communist influence by doubling the charges for US ships. Be capitalist. 

[G_Money]

Panama is lying out their as-.

 

The particular skill set they learned from Biden  and his administration.

[Paul Henry]

When do you know Trump is lying? When he opens his mouth. He now claims Beverly Hills in California is burnt out and many of his friends there have lost their homes. Just more BS

[candide]

More ridiculous lies from Trump. And , of course, his gullible fans believe him! 

[retayl]

28 minutes ago, G_Money said:

Panama is lying out their as-.

 

The particular skill set they learned from Biden  and his administration.

Thank you for sharing. I sense a very stable genius in our midst.

[G_Money]

2 minutes ago, retayl said:

Thank you for sharing. I sense a very stable genius in our midst.

You’re welcome!

 

I’m flattered but being a genius in a sea of leftists isn’t that difficult.

 

Anyone with some common sense can look like a genius next to a leftist nutter.

[riclag]

43 minutes ago, G_Money said:

Panama is lying out their as-.

 

The particular skill set they learned from Biden  and his administration.

A new day is coming for our country,Transparency is coming Jan 20th in the form of America First initiatives!

We are on offense & have the ball. 

[candide]

1 hour ago, riclag said:

A new day is coming for our country,Transparency is coming Jan 20th in the form of America First initiatives!

We are on offense & have the ball. 

Transparency based on Trump's lies? That's laughable! 

[Eric Loh]

1 hour ago, riclag said:

A new day is coming for our country,Transparency is coming Jan 20th in the form of America First initiatives!

We are on offense & have the ball. 

LOts of own goal and he is yet to inaugurated. Criminal sentencing awaiting too. 

[0ffshore360]

2 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

When do you know Trump is lying? When he opens his mouth. He now claims Beverly Hills in California is burnt out and many of his friends there have lost their homes. Just more BS

Obviously  lies.

He has no friends .

[stevenl]

3 hours ago, riclag said:

A new day is coming for our country,Transparency is coming Jan 20th in the form of America First initiatives!

We are on offense & have the ball. 

Transparency he claims while caught in yet another lie.