Conservative President José Raúl Mulino wanted to work with Trump from day one. He’s now trying to stop a U.S. takeover of the Panama Canal.

PANAMA CITY — President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday denied a claim by the Trump administration that this Central American country had agreed to eliminate tolls for U.S. government ships using the Panama Canal, in an apparent setback to U.S. diplomatic efforts.

The Panama Canal Authority late Wednesday said it has made no change to its tolls or other fees, denying the Trump administration claim that it has agreed to no longer charge U.S. government vessels for using it.