Berlin, 8 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Panama's government has flatly rejected US President-elect Donald Trump's claims to the Panama Canal.

"The sovereignty of our canal is non-negotiable," Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha said at a press conference on Tuesday evening (early Wednesday morning GMT).

"The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian and that will remain so," Martínez-Acha said, emphasizing that the canal serves humanity and world trade.

In December, Trump described the transit fees on the Panama Canal as highly unfair and called for control of the waterway to be handed back to the United States if it was not treated fairly.

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday, the Republican, who is set to return to the White House on January 20, said he would not rule out using military action to gain control of the Panama Canal.

When asked by a journalist whether he could assure the world that he would not use military or economic force, Trump said: "No."

"I'm not going to commit to that now. It might, it might be that you'll have to do something," the future president added.

"The Panama Canal is vital to our country. It's being operated by China," Trump lamented.

The canal - one of the world's most important trade routes - was built by the US in the early 20th century before administration was gradually handed over to Panama.

The fees charged by Panama are considered to be in line with market rates, as they are based on the size and weight of the ships passing through.

MIA file photo