Trump Threatens to Take Control of Panama Canal

President-elect Donald Trump has accused Panama of charging unreasonably high rates to use the vital canal, threatening to retake U.S. control of the Panama Canal. José Raúl Mulino, the president of Panama, responded strongly to his remarks at a speech in Arizona, which sparked worries about the future of U.S.-Panama relations.

Trump’s Accusations

During a rally in Arizona, Trump said that the United States was being “ripped off” when it came to the Panama Canal. He was worried that the canal would end up in the “wrong hands,” implying that China might have too much control over the route. Furthermore, Trump shared a photo on social media with the humorous caption, “Welcome to the United States Canal.” The picture suggested that the United States needed to retake control of the important canal.

The Historical Context of the Canal

The United States constructed the Panama Canal in the early 1900s. In accordance with agreements reached in 1977, it was turned over to Panama in 1999. Despite the handover, Trump maintained that the United States had “provisions” for oversight, saying that the United States would demand the canal back if Panama failed to adhere to the agreed-upon moral and legal criteria.

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Panama’s Strong Response

President Mulino vehemently disagreed with Trump’s assertions. “China did not control the canal,” he stressed, and Panama’s independence was not negotiable. Additionally, he made the case that Panama’s canal usage fees were reasonable and not arbitrary. Mulino restated that Panama was the rightful owner of the canal and the surrounding territory. It would continue to be so.

China’s Role in the Canal

While China does not directly manage the canal, a Chinese company, CK Hutchison Holdings, manages two important ports at the canal’s entrances. This involvement has led to concerns in the U.S. about potential Chinese influence in the region. However, Mulino was clear that the Panama Canal itself was still under Panamanian control.

Trump’s Previous Territorial Ambitions

Trump’s comments about the Panama Canal echo his previous musings about expanding U.S. territory. During his presidency, he suggested buying Greenland from Denmark, though his proposal was rejected. More recently, he’s hinted at the idea of turning Canada into a U.S. state, though it’s unclear how serious he is about these notions.

Trump’s threat to retake the Panama Canal highlights his aggressive foreign policy stance. However, it is unclear how he would go about this. Panama has made it clear that the canal is theirs, and under international law, Trump would have no legal right to claim it back. The situation underscores the tensions that can arise when historical agreements and international sovereignty are questioned.

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