Trump threatens to take back control of Panama Canal over ‘ridiculous fees’ us election 2024 news
Trump also hinted at China’s growing influence around the canal linking the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
United States President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to demand control of the Panama Canal after accusing Panama of charging excessive rates on American ships passing through one of the world’s busiest waterways.
“Our navy and commerce have been treated very unfairly and imprudently. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous,” Trump posted on his Truth social platform on Saturday.
“This complete ‘expropriation’ of our country must stop immediately.”
The US largely built the canal in 1914 and ruled the area around the route for decades. But Washington completely handed control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after a period of joint administration.
Trump also hinted at China’s growing influence around the canal linking the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
“It was solely Panama’s job to manage it, not China or anyone else,” he said. “We will never let it fall into the wrong hands!”
The post was an extremely rare example of a US leader saying he could force a sovereign country to cede territory.
“It was not given for the benefit of others, but only as a symbol of our cooperation and with Panama. If the ethical and legal principles of this generous gesture of giving are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us completely and without questions,” Trump said.
Trump’s tariff plan
It also underscores an expected shift in US diplomacy under Trump, who has historically not shied away from threatening allies and using rhetoric when dealing with counterparts.
Last month, Trump said he would impose tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports starting on the first day of his administration and that the measures would continue until the “invasion” of undocumented immigrants and drugs ends.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the full authority and power to easily resolve this long-standing problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and unless they do, it is time for them to pay a very heavy price!” He posted on his Truth social platform.
Panamanian officials did not immediately respond to Trump’s post.
An estimated 5 percent of global maritime traffic passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships traveling between Asia and the East Coast of the Americas to avoid the long, dangerous passage around the southern tip of South America.
The Panama Canal Authority reported in October that the waterway had generated record revenues of nearly $5 billion in the last fiscal year.
