Panama's president Jose Raul Mulino on Sunday dismissed recent threats made by US President-elect Donald Trump to retake control of the Panama Canal over complaints of "unfair" treatment of American ships.

On Saturday in a Truth Social post, Trump also hinted at China’s growing influence over the Panama Canal. “It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else,” he wrote. “We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!”