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In an interview with U.S. business network CNBC, Panama Canal Authority chief executive Jorge Quijano downplayed any impact from any potential for a disruption in global trade.

“We believe globalization, although there is some intent to somehow contain it… is irreversible,” Quijano told CNBC. “We depend too much on each other nowadays.”

In a wide-ranging discussion, Quijano also said the government is moving ahead with plans to redevelop land around the Panama Canal. As we reported last month, the Canal Authority is looking for new ways to create tourism and industry opportunities along the Canal.

While there have been some delays, the process is progressing in many areas, including a 200-hectare parcel along the Canal.

“We believe there is more than just for us in the Panama Canal to transit vessels,” Quijano said. “We have recovered all of these land that now it’s available to be used productively for Panama and for also direct private investment.”

But most of the focus of the interview was the impact of the continued saber-rattling in Washington about trade. Quijano downplayed any long-term impact from the new wave of protectionism in the U.S., which he said doesn’t reflect the realities of the modern global economy.

“I think there may be some businesses in particular could be affected,” Quijano said. “But globalization is here even though there are some proposals especially from the U.S. to reverse that. I don’t think that’s going to happen…

“I mean you’re not in this world alone and everybody would recognize that. And we hope that in the future things will settle down and we will see even more growth in the Panama Canal.”

In many ways, the Canal is a bellwether for Panama’s economy and Quijano made it clear that all signs are positive. Since the opening of the Canal expansion, tonnage going through the Canal has increased 18 percent and revenue has jumped 9 percent, he said.

“So we expect this year to be a very, very good year for… for the Canal and for Panama,” Quijano said.

Here’s a clip from the interview:

The full transcript can be found here.