Panama's President Says China Needs Country More Than Vice Versa

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino acknowledged that China is an important country, but he recalled that Panama has endured much more difficult moments than the current one. Mulino also questioned what kind of retaliatory measures China could adopt against Panama and what the Central American country has gained from its trade relationship with the Asian giant. The head of the executive branch highlighted that China needs Panama, as many of its products transit through the Canal, as well as many goods are traded through the Colón Free Trade Zone (CFZ). President José Raúl Mulino affirmed that «nothing is going to happen with China» after the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) that declared the contract with Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, unconstitutional. He added that the gas that China receives also passes through the interoceanic route. After the CSJ's decision became known, the Chinese government warned that Panama will «pay a high price» and described the sentence as «absurd, shameful, and pathetic». When asked about China's warnings, the head of state said he does not know what is on China's agenda, but any measure will be evaluated, and they will respond accordingly to what they decide to do. «Be careful, they need us more than we need them», the president warned.