Trump postpones call with Panamanian President as canal tensions simmer

US President Donald Trump has postponed a phone call with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino due to last-minute changes in the US leader's agenda, the Panama Government said on Friday, amid tensions over US threats to take over the Panama Canal.

Panama's foreign office will share details on the new date once it has been coordinated, the government said.

Mulino has accused the US of spreading "lies and falsehoods" after its government claimed its vessels would be able to pass through the Panama Canal without paying.

He has also rejected claims that China controls the canal, a key shipping waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and has soldiers there.

The canal is controlled and operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an "autonomous" agency overseen by the Panamanian government.

The two leaders had been scheduled to speak at 15:30 local time on Friday afternoon.

Following a visit from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Mulino said his country would not renew a broad agreement to contribute to China's signature Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure development plan involving debt trap diplomacy.

(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Kylie Madry)