The US State Department said that ships belonging to the United States government will now be able to pass free with the Panama canal, but Panama has denied this news.
"The US government's ships can now pass through the Panama canal without fee, which will allow the US authorities to save millions every year," the message published on the X social platform.
However, after this statement of the State Department, the Panama Canal administration said that it did not make any changes in the relevant tariffs. According to Reuters, the administration at the same time said that it is open to the terms of the transition to warships for discussions with the US authorities. According to Reuters, this can increase tensions between the United States and Panama, as this waterway has been in the center of the new US administration.
US President Donald Trump claims that China has a strong impact in the Panama Canal, and Panama has accused of charging a lot of money from American ships. Trump has threatened to control the canal.
According to the Pentagon, on February 5, the President of the Armenian Defense Minister Pitt Hegsetrew the Republic of Armenia to depart the country in order to deepen the security in the field of security and to protect Panama's canal from external threats.