Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino firmly rejected any negotiations with US President-elect Donald Trump regarding control of the Panama Canal, affirming that the canal belongs solely to Panama. Mulino emphasized that the canal, which was transferred to Panama in 1999 after being built by the United States, cannot be the subject of talks with Washington. Trump's recent comments, which criticized the tolls for US vessels passing through the canal and expressed concern over China's alleged involvement, were also dismissed by Mulino.

Mulino reassured that the canal's operation was free from Chinese interference, rejecting Trump's claim that Chinese soldiers were illegally operating the canal. The US is the primary user of the canal, followed by China, and Trump had threatened to demand the canal be returned to the US if Panama failed to ensure its efficient operation.