Trump: Merry Christmas to the Chinese soldiers in Panama!

According to RCO News Agency, the Panama Canal, which was completed by the United States in 1914, was returned to Panama based on an agreement signed in 1977 by then US President Jimmy Carter. Panama took full control of the commercial passage on December 31, 1999.

However, US President-elect Donald Trump has caused controversy in the past few days by indicating that he wants to take control of this waterway again. On Saturday, Trump accused Panama of charging “exorbitant fees” to US ships and called on the Central American country to reduce the fees or return the canal to US control.

Trump also wrote on the Truth Social network Wednesday evening: “Christmas to everyone, including the wonderful soldiers of China, who lovingly, but illegally, operate the Panama Canal (where we lost 38,000 people building it 110 years ago). ) Happy! “They always make sure that the United States pays billions in repair money, but they have absolutely nothing to say about anything.”

Read more; Panama Canal: the strategic highway of the world; A key to trade or a power tool

Trump says the Panama Canal is a critical national asset for the United States because of its vital role in the economy and national security. However, he called the high costs “ridiculous” and stressed that this process should be stopped.

At the same time, “José Raul Molino”, the president of Panama, emphasizes that the Panama Canal is completely owned by Panama according to the 1977 treaty, and the country’s sovereignty over it is “non-negotiable”.

On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said on Monday that China always respects Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal and recognizes it as “a permanent neutral international waterway.”

The Panama Canal is an artificial waterway in the territory of Panama in Central America that crosses the Isthmus of Panama at its lowest point and connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is one of the most important waterways in the world.

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