Washington, 23 December 2024 (dpa/MIA) - President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to retake control of the Panama Canal, a key shipping passageway, prompting a sharp rebuttal from Panama's president.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social network, claimed former president Jimmy Carter "foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar" after being built "at HUGE cost to the United States in lives and treasure."

He said Panama was charging the US "exorbitant prices and rates of passage" and that granting Panama sovereignty over the canal was "not given for the benefit of others but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama."

"This complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop," the soon-to-be president wrote. If it doesn't, "then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question."

Immediate rebuttal from Panama

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino immediately rejected Trump's statements - without naming the president-elect by name - in a video statement.

"Every square metre of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belongs to Panama and will continue to do so," said Mulino. "The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable."

The canal connects the Atlantic with the Pacific and is one of the world's most important trade routes. In the early 20th century, the US carried out the construction of the major project and controlled the area for decades after that. Control was then gradually transferred to Panama.

No special US rights at the Panama Canal

The fees charged by Panama are considered standard market rates, as they are based on the size and tonnage of the passing ships. There are no provisions that - as Trump demands - grant the US preferential treatment solely due to their historical role as builder.

"The fees are not arbitrary," emphasized Mulino. "They are set in a public manner and in a public hearing."

Greenland once piqued Trump's interest

During his first term, Trump indeed once seriously courted the territory of another country. In the summer of 2019, he proposed to buy Greenland and annex it to the US. The response from Denmark, to which the world's largest island is politically connected, was clear: No, thank you.

Photo: MIA archive