Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino hit back Sunday after President-elect Trump proposed bringing the Panama Canal back under U.S. control.

“As president, I want to make it clear that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama and will continue to do so,” Mulino said in a video statement, according to an English translation. “The sovereignty and independence of our country are non-negotiable.”

“The canal is not under direct or indirect control, neither by China, nor by the European community, nor by the United States, nor by any other power,” Mulino said. “As a Panamanian, I strongly reject any statement that distorts this reality.”

“Panama respects other nations and demands respect,” he added.

Trump proposed bringing the Panama Canal back under U.S. control at a conference of his supporters on Sunday and vowed to take swift action on the issue after taking office in less than a month.

“It was given to Panama and the people of Panama, but it has provisions. “You have to treat us fairly, and they didn’t treat us fairly,” Trump said at Turning Point’s “American Fest.”

“If the moral and legal principles of this generous gesture of giving are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without questions,” Trump added.

When an audience member shouted, “Take it back,” Trump responded, “That’s a good idea.”

Trump also accused the Central American country of charging excessive fees for ships using the canal to travel between the Pacific and Atlantic.

Panama charges fees for boats and ships using the canal. Fees can vary depending on the size and purpose of the vessels and can range from $0.50 to $300,000. The United States handed control of the canal to Panama in 1999.

“Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal?” Trump told the crowd at America Fest. “Because we’re getting ripped off at the Panama Canal, just like we’re getting ripped off everywhere.”

“Panama’s fees are ridiculous and highly unfair,” Trump said.

In the video statement, Mulino pushed back against Trump’s attack on the fees, pointing out that the Panama Canal has grown since Panama oversaw its administration and that the fees are fair.

“Prices are not a whim,” Mulino said. “They will be determined publicly and through public consultation, taking into account market conditions, international competition, operating costs and the maintenance and modernization needs of the interoceanic route.”

“In this way, we achieved the expansion of the canal in 2016, which today represents greater economic and trade growth, creating greater prosperity and trade opportunities worldwide,” he added.

Mulino said he hopes to maintain a close relationship with the incoming Trump administration and mentioned several issues he would like to work together on.

“With the new US administration, I hope to preserve and maintain a good and respectful relationship. Security issues such as illegal migration, drug trafficking and organized crime must be a priority on our bilateral agenda as they represent a real threat that should be of great concern to us,” he said.

He said his own country’s interests would always come first.

“We Panamanians may think differently on many issues, but when it comes to our canal and our sovereignty, we all unite under a single flag, the flag of Panama,” he said. “We are a country that is open today and always to dialogue, to investment and good relations, but with the clear motto that the country comes first.”

“This is non-negotiable for this Panamanian president.”

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