The Panama Canal Authority put out its own terse statement saying it had “not made any adjustments” to the fees.

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino said on Thursday the United States was spreading "lies and falsehoods" after the State Department claimed U.S. government vessels would be able to pass the Panama Canal without paying.

The Panama Canal Authority said there had been no changes made to the fees it imposes on vessels sailing through the canal, despite a statement by the US State Department, which said a deal struck with Panama would save it millions of dollars a year.