The Panama Canal Authority has rejected claims from the US State Department that it agreed to waive fees for US government vessels, amid rising tensions following President Trump's criticisms of toll rates. The Authority asserted that it has not altered any fees for passage and expressed readiness to engage in dialogue concerning wartime vessel transit. Trump's administration has been closely scrutinizing Panama’s toll charges, implying potential changes in diplomatic relations over the management of this critical waterway linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
The Panama Canal Authority insists it has not made any agreements regarding fee waivers for US government vessels, contradicting statements from the US State Department.
The US State Department claimed that Panama had agreed to allow government vessels to transit without fees, a significant cost-saving measure for the United States.
Despite claims from the US that a deal was made to eliminate crossing fees, the Panama Canal Authority stated their willingness to negotiate about wartime vessel transit.
Tensions increased when President Trump accused Panama of excessive tolls, while the Canal Authority affirmed it hadn’t changed its passage fee policies.
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