Varela thinks that the United States and China will overcome tensions and reminds that Panama is neutral. • El Nuevo Diario

Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela was confident today that the United States and China would overcome the tensions that now characterize their trade relations, and recalled that Panama is a "neutral" country.

Varela answered the call. to be consulted by the reporters as to whether Panama remained in the midst of disputes between the United States and China, in light of the diplomatic relations established by her government over a year ago with Beijing at the expense of Taiwan, which caused a malaise Manifesto in Washington

"We are a neutral, sovereign and dignified country," said Varela, who received the secretary of state last week. Mike Pompeo, from the United States, with whom he spoke informally about China, said Thursday the president.

The head of state denied the opinion of Pompeo to have warned Panama. about China, and joked that in his country "nothing else" does put "alert (Jose) Donderis", director of the civil protection agency.

Pompeo told the Panamanian TVN channel on October 18 that he had spoken to Varela about China and the risks of doing business with the Asian giant.

"We want to make sure that the countries that invest (with other countries), including China, do it again. a way consistent with international laws favorable to the Panamanian people, "Pompeo said at the time in the Panamanian capital.

Varela revealed Thursday that Pompeo had "declared in time" in the debate that they had had at the end of the official meeting, "that Panama was a model that should help to prevent". other countries of the world, how to manage relations with China. "

On September 7, the United States convened the commercial director of Panama, Roxanne Cabral, for consultations on the links. More than a year ago, China was the main supplier of the Panamanian Free Zone (ZCL), the largest in the continent and the second largest user of the interoceanic channel.

In addition to Cabral, the ambbadadors to the Dominican Republic, Robin Bernstein, and El Salvador, Jean Manes, who established diplomatic relations with China in May and August, were summoned by the Donald Trump government for consultations.

Panama, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic are members of the Central American Integration System (SICA), to which Costa Rica also belongs, which was the first country in the region to be established. ties with China in 2007. [19659002]

Varela commented that the tension in trade between the states and China "affected the economy and also what the US stock market is ", and stated that he believed" that leaders politicians must understand that with tension, solutions to the problems that affect our peoples are not created, but through dialogue. "

"Then, I think there will finally be agreements and that this is just part of the countries' strategy to renegotiate their trade agreements, but only that there are styles and that they are respected. In a democracy, the styles of the presidents are respected, "said Varela.

He baderted that" just as there were tensions with Mexico and Canada and that agreements had been reached, the United States would end to conclude trade agreements with China. "

Panama and China have signed nearly thirty cooperation agreements over the past year, including one for the first time. Feasibility study of a high-speed train between the Panamanian capital and the border with Costa Rica. About $ 5 million and are now negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Varela announced on Thursday that he would visit China on Nov. 5 to attend the Shanghai Fair, where, together with businessmen, exporters and farmers will promote the country. ;Central America. "Panama has a large delegation, I think it's the most important presence of Panama in a fair," said the Panamanian president, who unveiled plans for his country's export. Asian giant meat.