The Great Assets
  • Business
  • World News
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • Business
  • World News
  • Politics
  • Investing

The Great Assets

World News

Panama denies State Department claim US government vessels can now transit canal for free

by admin February 6, 2025
February 6, 2025
Panama denies State Department claim US government vessels can now transit canal for free

Panama denied a claim made by the State Department on Wednesday that the Central American nation had agreed to no longer charge fees for US government ships to transit the country’s famous canal.

“In response to a publication released by the United States Department of State, the Panama Canal Authority, which is authorized to set tolls and other fees for transiting the Canal, reports that it has not made any adjustments to them,” the authority said in a statement, adding that it stood ready to establish a dialogue with the US.

Panama’s statement directly contradicted the State Department’s claim earlier in the evening.

“US government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees, saving the US government millions of dollars a year,” the State Department said in a statement posted on X alongside an image of a naval vessel entering the canal’s locks.

Over the past 26 years the US has paid a total of $25.4 million dollars for the transit of warships and submarines, equivalent to less than one million dollars per year, according to a statement from Panama’s embassy in Cuba.

The latest controversy came just days after President Donald Trump reiterated his vow to “take back” the Panama Canal, warning of “powerful” US action in an escalating diplomatic dispute with the Central American country over China’s presence around the vital waterway.

“China is running the Panama Canal that was not given to China, that was given to Panama foolishly, but they violated the agreement, and we’re going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.

Hours earlier, the diplomatic stir caused by Trump’s repeated and publicly stated desire for the US to retake control of the canal had appeared to ease after Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making his first overseas trip as the top US diplomat, met with Panama’s President Raúl Mulino.

Though Mulino told Rubio that Panama’s sovereignty over the canal was not up for debate, he also said he had addressed Washington’s concerns over Beijing’s purported influence.

Panama would not renew a 2017 memorandum of understanding to join China’s overseas development initiative, known as the Belt and Road initiative, Mulino said, also suggesting that the deal with Beijing could end early.

The canal was returned to Panama under a 1977 treaty, which allows the US to intervene militarily if the waterway’s operations are disrupted by internal conflict or a foreign power. Today, more cargo than ever runs through the canal than it did during the years of US control.

Since 2000 the canal has been operated by the Panama Canal Authority, whose administrator, deputy administrator and 11-member board are selected by Panama’s government but operate independently.

Panama Ports – part of a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings – operates terminals on the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the canal. So do several other companies.

Hutchinson was first granted the concession over the two ports in 1997 when Panama and the US jointly administered the canal.

The company is publicly traded, not known to be on any US blacklists and their subsidiary Hutchinson Ports is one of the world’s largest port operators, overseeing 53 ports in 24 countries, including for other US allies such as the UK, Australia and Canada. Hutchison also does not control access to the Panama Canal.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

previous post
GOP lawmaker scraps with Democrat in hearing over transgender ‘slur,’ bathroom rights: ‘Not going to have it’
next post
Australia introduces mandatory jail time for hate crimes following surge in antisemitism

Related Posts

Myanmar’s earthquake devastated the war-torn nation. For its...

May 3, 2025

Ellen Miles is planting seeds of hope through...

May 9, 2025

Two dead, four missing in Spanish mine accident

April 1, 2025

Taiwan’s divided politics undermine defense resolve as Trump...

January 25, 2025

In notorious Salvadoran prison, US deportees live in...

April 9, 2025

Russia creating ‘general impression’ of ceasefire while continuing...

April 21, 2025

China’s navy commissions new-generation frigate as competition rises...

January 23, 2025

Fewer people than ever before are marrying in...

February 10, 2025

Pope Francis on breathing machine after suffering sudden...

March 1, 2025

‘I would prefer this over killing children:’ Why...

March 24, 2025

    Join our mailing list to get access to special deals, promotions, and insider information. Your exclusive benefits await! Enjoy personalized recommendations, first dibs on sales, and members-only content that makes you feel like a true VIP. Sign up now and start saving!


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Editors’ Picks

    • 1

      Top 11 Countries by Rare Earth Metal Production

      February 27, 2025
    • 2

      Capital One outage drags into Friday afternoon, leaving some customers without deposit access

      January 23, 2025
    • 3

      Altech Batteries LtdCERENERGY Accredited Highest Possible Green Rating

      January 24, 2025
    • 4

      Bank of America CEO says financial industry will jump into crypto payments if regulators allow it

      January 23, 2025
    • 5

      Netflix shares soar as company reports surging revenue, tops 300 million subscribers

      January 23, 2025
    • 6

      Altech – CERENERGY Accredited Highest Possible Green Rating

      January 24, 2025
    • 7

      Strategic Alliance with Macmahon to Accelerate Redevelopment of Nifty

      January 23, 2025
    • About us
    • Contacts
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Email Whitelisting

    Disclaimer: thegreatassets.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.


    Copyright © 2025 thegreatassets.com | All Rights Reserved