Headline: Trump Vows to Reclaim Control of Panama Canal Amid Rising Tensions
Byline: Last Updated: 23 December 2024
strap: President Trump emphasizes the need to retake control of the vital waterway, as Panama’s President Mulino dismisses the idea.
President Donald Trump has sparked a potential diplomatic row with Panama after stating that his administration will endeavor to regain control of the Panama Canal. In a speech delivered on Sunday in Phoenix, Trump asserted that the U.S.’s surrender of control in 1999 was "foolish," emphasizing that Panama now charges "foolish fees" for ships to traverse the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean-crossing waterway.
The Panama Canal has been under Panamanian control since 1999, with the U.S. having administered it since 1904. However, Trump, who has long criticized the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties that transferred control to Panama, stated, "If Panama does not abide by the moral and legal principles of this generous gift, we will demand the immediate and complete return of the Panama Canal."
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, elected in May, swiftly rejected Trump’s assertion as an affront to his nation’s sovereignty. In a video posted soon after Trump’s remarks, Mulino declared, "Every inch of the canal belongs to Panama, and it will continue to do so."
Trump’s claims hit a nerve with Mulino, who pointed out that Panama has continually invested in and expanded the canal to accommodate larger ships and increase traffic—a process Trump has not acknowledged. Mulino argued that tolls for canal transit are set by experts considering operational costs, supply and demand, and not on a whim.
Though Trump did not elaborate on how the U.S. might reclaim the canal, he Positioning himself as a strong leader, Trump emphasized in his speech that his "dream team" administration will deliver economic prosperity, fortify U.S. borders, and swiftly resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.
As tensions ratchet up, the 51-mile-long canal, crucial for global trade, faces potential challenges. Recent droughts in Central America forced reductions in vessel traffic and increases in transit fees. Despite recent improvement in weather conditions, fee increases are anticipated into the new year.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates.
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