(CLO) The Panama Canal Authority has denied the US State Department's claim that US government ships will be exempt from fees when passing through the canal.
The Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous body under the supervision of the Panamanian government, said in a statement on Feb. 5 that it had not made any changes regarding canal fees or the passage of ships, and asserted that the response was intended to clarify previous U.S. statements.
The move could raise tensions after President Donald Trump threatened to take back control of the waterway.
The viewing area at the Miraflores Visitor Center allows people to watch ships passing through the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal. Photo: Image Bank RF/GI
Earlier in the day, the US State Department announced that the Panamanian government had agreed to waive fees on US government vessels, which would save the US millions of dollars each year.
The Panama Canal Authority responded: "With full responsibility, the Panama Canal Authority, as stated, is ready to dialogue with the relevant US officials regarding the transportation of wartime vessels from the aforementioned country."
The Central American nation has been a target of criticism from the US administration since President Trump accused Panama of charging too much to use the canal. Mr Trump said last month that the US would demand the canal be returned to the US without question.
Mr. Trump has also repeatedly accused Panama of ceding control of the canal to China, something both Panama and China have denied.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino during his visit to Central America, when Mr. Mulino announced that he would withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative.
President Mulino also dismissed Mr Trump's threat to take back control of the canal, which has been built and managed by the US for decades.
In 1977, the United States and Panama signed an agreement giving Panama full control of the canal. The United States transferred control in 1999 after a period of joint management.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, Business Times)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/panama-bac-bo-tuyen-bo-cua-my-ve-viec-mien-phi-qua-kenh-dao-post333293.html
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