President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal on Sunday. He accused Panama of charging excessive rates for using the vital Central American passage. This statement drew a sharp rebuke from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.
While addressing a crowd of supporters in Arizona, Trump expressed concern about Chinese influence in the area. He insisted he would not allow the canal to fall into the “wrong hands.”
After the event, he shared an image on Truth Social. The image showed an American flag flying over a narrow body of water, accompanied by the comment: “Welcome to the United States Canal!”
At AmericaFest, an annual event organized by the conservative group Turning Point, Trump said, “Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else.”
Trump’s recent comments regarding the Panama Canal represent a significant and controversial stance for a U.S. leader, suggesting a willingness to challenge the sovereignty of another nation. He asserted that if Panama did not adhere to the “principles” of the agreement that led to the canal’s handover, the U.S. would demand its return.
This rhetoric highlights a potential shift in U.S. diplomacy under Trump, who has a history of using aggressive language towards allies and adversaries alike.
In response, Panama’s President Mulino firmly stated that the country’s independence is non-negotiable and emphasized that China does not control the canal’s operations.
He defended Panama’s toll rates for passage through the canal, asserting they are based on sound principles rather than arbitrary decisions.
Although a subsidiary of a Hong Kong-based company manages two ports along the canal, it does not imply that China has any authority over the canal itself.
The U.S. built and managed the Panama Canal for much of the 20th century, but a series of treaties in 1977 led to its transfer to Panama, which was completed in 1999.
Mulino reiterated that all territory related to the canal belongs to Panama, to which Trump responded with defiance, suggesting that the matter is not settled.
The canal is a vital waterway for global trade, facilitating the passage of thousands of ships annually and playing a crucial role in U.S. trade with Asia.
However, the feasibility of Trump regaining control over the canal is questionable, as international law does not support such actions against a sovereign state.
This is not the first instance of Trump expressing interest in territorial expansion; he has previously entertained ideas about acquiring Greenland and even suggested the possibility of making Canada a U.S. state. His recent comments on these topics indicate a consistent inclination towards assertive and unconventional foreign policy approaches.
Trump’s recent comments regarding the Panama Canal represent a significant and controversial stance for a U.S. leader, suggesting a willingness to challenge the sovereignty of another nation. He asserted that if Panama did not adhere to the “principles” of the agreement that led to the canal’s handover, the U.S. would demand its return. This rhetoric highlights a potential shift in U.S. diplomacy under Trump, who has a history of using aggressive language towards allies and adversaries alike.
In response, Panama’s President Mulino firmly stated that the country’s independence is non-negotiable and emphasized that China does not control the canal’s operations. He defended Panama’s toll rates for passage through the canal, asserting they are based on sound principles rather than arbitrary decisions. Although a subsidiary of a Hong Kong-based company manages two ports along the canal, it does not imply that China has any authority over the canal itself.
The U.S. built and managed the Panama Canal for much of the 20th century, but a series of treaties in 1977 led to its transfer to Panama, which was completed in 1999. Mulino reiterated that all territory related to the canal belongs to Panama, to which Trump responded with defiance, suggesting that the matter is not settled.
The canal is a vital waterway for global trade, facilitating the passage of thousands of ships annually and playing a crucial role in U.S. trade with Asia. However, the feasibility of Trump regaining control over the canal is questionable, as international law does not support such actions against a sovereign state.
This is not the first instance of Trump expressing interest in territorial expansion; he has previously entertained ideas about acquiring Greenland and even suggested the possibility of making Canada a U.S. state.
His recent comments on these topics indicate a consistent inclination towards assertive and unconventional foreign policy approaches.