Treaties ratified by the Senate in 1978 established permanent neutrality, but some Republicans regret that decision.

There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal. You are free, the whole world is free to visit the canal if you please,' says Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino - Anadolu Ajansı

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino said China has no stake in the Panama Canal and US warships pay the same toll rates as other nations, pushing back against Donald Trump’s threats over the key waterway.

President-elect Donald Trump over the weekend suggested the US should retake the Panama Canal, an idea that was immediately rejected by the government of Panama, which has controlled the passage for decades.

As for the Panama Canal, Mulino denied U.S. vessels are being overcharged to use the waterway and emphasized that China plays no role in the canal. A Hong Kong-based firm manages two ports at the Panama Canal’s entrances, but Panama owns and operates the entire canal.

In a message posted to his Truth Social account on Wednesday, Trump wrote: "Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal". Mulino called the claim "nonsense" and said that there is "absolutely no Chinese interference".

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino rejected President-elect Trump’s claims of Chinese interference and high fees to use the Panama Canal. The post Panama’s president rejects Trump’s claim of Chinese interference at canal appeared first on FreightWaves.

Sen. Ben Cardin said on ABC's "This Week" that President-elect Donald Trump's threats to seize the Panama Canal could drive U.S. allies toward to Russia and China.