Now it is Panama’s turn to object to Saudi Arabia joining the World Trade Organization.

We hear that Panama is saying no to the Kingdom’s accession the WTO until negotiations on a number of issues between Riyadh and Panama City have been completed. Otherwise Saudi Arabia should kiss good-by to any hope of joining the organization.

The other state that wants more negotiations with the Kingdom is the United States — but Panama is not the US while the US is the WTO and the WTO is the US.

I am not belittling Panama. Despite its being a minute state barely visible on the world map and a country whose only claim to fame is of a canal running through it that links the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific. Nonetheless, Panama is a member of the WTO and also the United Nations. The country whose former president is now in an American jail for crimes relating to drug trafficking is also known for ships sailing the high seas under its flag while in fact the ships are owned by other nations. In the world of fruit and vegetables, Panama is famous for being a major banana exporter.

As is abundantly clear, none of these would make a country big nor give it the power and influence to seriously object to another country, such as the Kingdom, joining the WTO.

Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil producer and exporter and it also has the largest proven oil reserves. This vital commodity will continue to be the main energy source for the entire world for decades to come. And yet, Panama has found the courage to object and we find ourselves in a position in which we are forced to convince Panama in order to join the WTO.

But why blame others since the WTO laws have given Panama — and other countries which are already WTO members — all this power?

Panama is behaving like this because it long ago joined the WTO while we are still negotiating. Even Cuba, a communist country which knows nothing about a free market, has been annoying the Kingdom which has pursued a free market policy since its creation.

Some of us may feel humiliated at seeing Panama having this power over us. Still, Panama got there long before we did and we must now struggle to please such countries as Panama.

Despite this, we have no alternative but to continue negotiating. Every day that passes with us still outside the WTO is a great loss for us.