(As more countries are talking to China about joining BRICS and the threat of the looming devaluation of the dollar hangs over his head, Trump figures we can take the canal and keep China or anyone in BRICS from using it as a bludgeon to punish and threaten nation states to stay with us and our neoliberal ways. He also figures the added revenue will come in handy when he announces his historic tax break he is going to give Big Business and billionaires like himself and half of his cabinet.)
from al Mayadeen English
Ricaurte Vasquez Morales, head of the Panama Canal Authority, has rejected US President-elect Donald Trump's claims that China allegedly controls the canal and is increasing tariffs on US ships.
Vasquez Morales told The Wall Street Journal newspaper on Wednesday, "The accusations that China is running the Canal are unfounded. China has no involvement whatsoever in our operations. Rules are rules, and there are no exceptions. We cannot discriminate against the Chinese, the Americans, or anyone else. This will violate the neutrality treaty and international law, and it will lead to chaos."
The report stated that the average cost for ships to transit the canal is approximately $750,000, with fees ranging between $300,000 and $1 million.
Morales added, "They [tariffs] apply to all ships from around the world and there are no exceptions."...
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