Donald Trump to Panama, return to principles or we will demand the canal bank
Donald Trump took to Truth Social to complain about how officials in Panama have been profiting off of US shipping. Trump specifically took issue with the fees that the Panamanian government was charging US commercial and U.S. Navy ships for passing through the canal. Trump addressed the security importance of the canal, and the basis of transferring the canal over to Panama. It was done for cooperation between the United States and Panama. Donald Trump warned that if the Panamanians did not abide by the moral and legal principles of the hand over, the United States was going to demand the canal back.
From FOXBusiness:
“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 in his post. “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.”
The incoming president criticized former President Carter, who Trump said “foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar.” In 1977, Carter signed the Panama Canal Treaty, which phased out U.S. control of the canal by 1999.
Carter also signed the Neutrality Treaty, which ensured that the tolls would be equal for all nations. Trump implied that the U.S. should be given preferential treatment in his post.
“Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way,” the president-elect argued. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop.”
Trump also floated the idea of demanding the canal’s ownership be returned to the United States if American ships are not given fair treatment.
“[The Panama Canal] was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama,” Trump concluded. “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.
“To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!”
Additional Reading:
Margolis, A. (2024, December 21). Trump floats idea of US reclaiming Panama Canal: ‘Foolishly gave it away’. FOXBusiness. Link.
Category: Big Navy, Donald Trump, International Affairs
