Canal chief in Panama answers to Trump's requirements
The CEO of the Panama Canal has stated that providing preferential treatment to US vessels would contravene international law. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Granting special treatment to American ships would violate international law, Ricaurte Vasquez Morales told the Wall Street Journal.
The head of the authority managing the Panama Canal expressed concerns that meeting US President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for preferential treatment for American vessels would “lead to chaos.”
Trump recently criticized what he perceives as unfavorable fees for American ships using the canal and raised alarms about alleged Chinese influence in its operations. He suggested that the US might seek to regain control of the canal, not dismissing the possibility of military action.
“Rules are rules, and there are no exceptions,” Ricaurte Vasquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, stated.
He emphasized, “We cannot discriminate for the Chinese, or the Americans, or anyone else. This will violate the neutrality treaty, international law and it will lead to chaos,” in an interview with the WSJ.
Vasquez Morales also rejected Trump’s claims that China is “running the Canal” as “unfounded.”
“China has no involvement whatsoever in our operations,” he asserted.
The Panama Canal is vital for global trade, handling approximately 6% of worldwide shipping. Built by the US in the early 20th century, it was turned over to Panama under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which were signed in 1977.
While a Chinese company, Hutchison Whampoa, has been operating two ports near the canal since the late 1990s, these ports operate independently from the canal itself, which is governed by the ACP.
The ACP maintains strict neutrality agreements that ensure equitable access for vessels from all nations.
In response to Trump’s comments, Panama’s president, Jose Raul Mulino, recently reaffirmed the country’s sovereignty over the canal.
“Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama,” Mulino noted in a video posted on X late last month.
He also stated that the tariffs are not arbitrary but reflect Panama’s efforts to manage increasing ship traffic.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
The head of the authority managing the Panama Canal expressed concerns that meeting US President-elect Donald Trump’s demand for preferential treatment for American vessels would “lead to chaos.”
Trump recently criticized what he perceives as unfavorable fees for American ships using the canal and raised alarms about alleged Chinese influence in its operations. He suggested that the US might seek to regain control of the canal, not dismissing the possibility of military action.
“Rules are rules, and there are no exceptions,” Ricaurte Vasquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, stated.
He emphasized, “We cannot discriminate for the Chinese, or the Americans, or anyone else. This will violate the neutrality treaty, international law and it will lead to chaos,” in an interview with the WSJ.
Vasquez Morales also rejected Trump’s claims that China is “running the Canal” as “unfounded.”
“China has no involvement whatsoever in our operations,” he asserted.
The Panama Canal is vital for global trade, handling approximately 6% of worldwide shipping. Built by the US in the early 20th century, it was turned over to Panama under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which were signed in 1977.
While a Chinese company, Hutchison Whampoa, has been operating two ports near the canal since the late 1990s, these ports operate independently from the canal itself, which is governed by the ACP.
The ACP maintains strict neutrality agreements that ensure equitable access for vessels from all nations.
In response to Trump’s comments, Panama’s president, Jose Raul Mulino, recently reaffirmed the country’s sovereignty over the canal.
“Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama,” Mulino noted in a video posted on X late last month.
He also stated that the tariffs are not arbitrary but reflect Panama’s efforts to manage increasing ship traffic.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
