Panama president: There will be no negotiations with the US over the Panama Canal ownership

President of Panama José Raúl Mulino announced on Thursday that there will be no negotiations with the United States regarding the ownership of the Panama Canal, the Associated Press reports.

He expressed hope that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit would allow for a focus on common interests, including migration and the fight against drug trafficking.

On his inauguration day, Trump stated that “serious fees are being charged for U.S. ships, and they are being treated unfairly,” noting that “China is for the first time in control of the Panama Canal.” He had previously claimed that the U.S. could demand the return of the canal.