Donald Trump accused Panama of charging too much to use the Panama Canal and said that if they did not bring costs down, he would demand they give it back to the US.
In an evening post on Truth Social, Trump also warned he would not let the canal fall into the ‘wrong hands,’ and he seemed to warn of potential Chinese influence on the passage, writing the canal should not be managed by China.
‘The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security,’ Trump wrote.
‘A secure Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. Commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to U.S. ports.’
Trump also complained of the prices that Panama is currently charging the United States.
‘The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S.,’ Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
Tolls for the Panama Canal can cost up to $500,000 for the largest ships carrying the most cargo.
He then argued that the canal is being used ‘for the benefit of other’ nations that shouldn’t be, including China.
Donald Trump accused Panama of charging too much to use of the Panama Canal and said that if they did not manage it in an acceptable fashion, he would demand they give it up to the US
Trump specifically stated that the canal was ‘solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.’
China has increased its interests in Latin America in recent years but has made no overtures towards taking over the canal, according to Politico.
Trump is now suggesting that if Panama isn’t willing to play ball, the United States will try to take the canal back.
‘If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.’
He further slammed Panama for how ‘Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way.’
Opening in 1914, the Panama Canal was built by the United States between 1904 and 1913 and revolutionized sea traffic travel in the region.
The canal was under U.S. control until a 1977 agreement led to its transfer to Panama in 1999.
He slammed former President Jimmy Carter as Trump said he ‘foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar.’
Opening in 1914, the Panama Canal was built by the United States between 1904 and 1913 and revolutionized sea traffic travel in the region. The canal was under U.S. control until a 1977 agreement led to its transfer to Panama in 1999
In an evening post on Truth Social, Trump also warned he would not let the canal fall into the ‘wrong hands,’ and he seemed to warn of potential Chinese influence on the passage, writing the canal should not be managed by China
The canal cost $500 million to build in the early 20th century, which Elon Musk’s DOGE said amounted to $15.2 billion 2023 dollars in a recent report.
The post was an exceedingly rare example of a U.S. leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory.
It also underlines an expected shift in U.S. diplomacy under Trump, who has not historically shied away from threatening allies and using bellicose rhetoric when dealing with counterparts.
In 2017, Trump welcomed the president of Panama to the White House, pointing to the United States’ role in the construction of the Panama Canal at the start of his first face-to-face meeting with the Central American leader.
Trump met with then-Panama President Juan Carlos Varela for a discussion on organized crime, immigration, drug trafficking and economic issues.
After Trump and first lady Melania Trump escorted Varela and his wife, Lorena Castillo, to the Oval Office, the president quickly noted their historic ties.
‘The Panama Canal is doing quite well. I think we did a good job building it, right?’ Trump told Varela, who responded, ‘very good job.’
José Raúl Mulino, the current president, has yet to comment on Trump’s statement.
José Raúl Mulino, the current president, pledged to bring Panama closer to the United States upon his election
The post was an exceedingly rare example of a U.S. leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory
His party, Realizando Metas, is considered conservative and in July, he condemned the assassination attempt on Trump’s life.
‘In my capacity as President of Panama, I express my strong condemnation of the event that occurred against Former President Donald Trump,’ he wrote on July 13 after Trump was shot at in Butler, Pennsylvania.
‘I express my solidarity with the people and government of the United States and with the family of Former President Trump. This act of violence threatens security and democratic stability.’
Mulino took office in July, vowing to curb illegal immigration, with his government quickly signing an agreement with the United States to crack down on migration through the treacherous Darien Gap jungle passage.
He pledged to bring Panama closer to the United States upon his election, according to Foreign Policy.
The Panamanian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
