President-elect Ricardo Martinelli of Panama says finalising a free-trade deal with the United States is his "number one priority".
Mr Martinelli, 57, was elected on Sunday with over 60% of votes. He rejects US accusations that the country is a tax haven.
The US-Panama trade pact was signed in June 2007 by President Martin Torrijos, but the agreement has been stalled in the US Congress over criticisms that Panama is an offshore tax haven for foreigners.
Congress also considers that Panama needs tougher labor rights standards.
Panama exported $US377 million to the United States last year: 96% of these goods already enter the United States duty free. Exports from the US to Panama in 2008 were almost $US5 billion.
Panama says its exporters are at a disadvantage because other Central American countries and Mexico already have free trade deals with the United States.
