Greenland Leader Seeks Dialogue with Trump, Panama Canal Claimed to be Controlled by China,
Greenland Leader Seeks Dialogue with Trump, Panama Canal Claimed to be Controlled by China,
The President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, who recently declared his intention to control the Panama and Greenland Canals, has attracted widespread attention. Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, on Friday (10/1) expressed his readiness for dialogue with Trump.
Meanwhile, the Panama Canal Management Authority denied Trump's statements about plans to take over the canal, insisting that this important waterway will remain under Panamanian control and open to all countries for commercial activities.
Egede, at a press conference in Copenhagen on Friday, said he had not had direct contact with Trump, but was ready for dialogue. Trump has previously expressed his desire to take control of the Arctic island, while calling for respect for Greenland's desire for independence.
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20 as President of the United States, called America's control of Greenland (a partially autonomous region of Denmark) “very important”.
Trump did not rule out the possibility of using economic measures, such as tariffs on Denmark, or even military measures to achieve his goals.
Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said at a news conference on Thursday that she had requested a meeting with Trump, but did not expect it to take place before his inauguration.
Greenland, with a population of 57,000 people, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic region. The United States has a military base in this strategic area in the northern part of Greenland. In 2009, Greenland gained the right to vote for independence through a referendum.
Egede, at a press conference in Copenhagen on Friday, said he had not had direct contact with Trump, but was ready for dialogue. Trump has previously expressed his desire to take control of the Arctic island, while calling for respect for Greenland's desire for independence.
Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20 as President of the United States, called America's control of Greenland (a partially autonomous region of Denmark) “very important”. Trump did not rule out the possibility of using economic measures, such as tariffs on Denmark, or even military measures to achieve his goals.
Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said at a news conference on Thursday that she had requested a meeting with Trump, but did not expect it to take place before his inauguration.
Greenland, with a population of 57,000 people, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic region. The United States has a military base in this strategic area in the northern part of Greenland. In 2009, Greenland gained the right to vote for independence through a referendum.
Egede emphasized Greenland's desire for independence, saying: “We yearn for independence, we want to control our own homeland… This is something that must be respected by everyone.”
“But that doesn't mean we will cut all our ties, cooperation and relations with Denmark,” he added.
On the other hand, responding to Trump's criticism that the Panama Canal was already under Chinese control, and the United States would take over the canal, Director of the Panama Canal Management Authority, Ricaurte Vasquez, on Friday denied Trump's statement. He emphasized that this important waterway will remain under Panama's control and open to all countries wishing to conduct commercial activities.
Vasquez, in an interview with the Associated Press, denied Trump's accusations that China controls canal operations, and said that any changes to existing operating rules would cause "chaos."
He explained that the Chinese companies that manage the ports at both ends of the canal are part of a Hong Kong consortium that won the tender in 1997. He also added that American and Taiwanese companies also operate other ports along the canal.
On Tuesday, Trump stated that the United States should take back control of the Panama Canal and did not rule out the possibility of using military measures to achieve that goal.
“Maybe we need to do something, because the Panama Canal is very important to our country,” Trump said. He also called transit costs through the canal “ridiculous.”
Panama's President, José Raúl Mulino, previously stated firmly that the canal would remain under Panamanian control. Responding to suggestions that the United States might try to take back control of the canal, Vasquez said: “Such hopes have no basis whatsoever. That's the only thing I can say.”
Vasquez emphasized that the Panama Canal remains open for commercial activities of all countries. He also added that under the neutrality agreement, the canal cannot give special treatment to US-flagged ships.
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"The most rational and effective way is to maintain existing regulations," he said.
He explained that every exception request was usually rejected because operational procedures were clear and could not be changed carelessly. The only exception to the agreement is that United States warships can be given priority in crossing the canal.
Approximately 70% of maritime traffic through the Panama Canal involves United States ports, either as origin or destination.
This canal was built by the United States in the early 20th century with the aim of creating an easier transportation route between the east and west coasts of the United States for both commercial and military ships. Under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977, Washington handed over control of the canal to Panama on December 31, 1999.
However, last month, Trump told his supporters: “We have been exploited in the Panama Canal case.” He said the United States had been “stupid” to give up control of the canal.
Regarding canal transit costs, Vasquez said that a series of planned price increases were completed this month. Further increases will be considered in the first half of the year to provide certainty for clients and will be subject to a public consultation process.
Vasquez stressed that “transit fees are non-discriminatory, and pricing rules apply uniformly and transparently to all ships transiting the canal.” (jhn/yn)
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