- Trump Threatens to Regain Control of the Panama Canal
- Accuses China of Controlling It
- Panama Rejects Giving Up Its Sovereignty
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has once again raised concerns about a potential intervention in the Panama Canal.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump accused Panama of imposing excessive tariffs on American ships.
He singled out China as the primary beneficiary, asserting that the country is taking control of the canal.
“The Panama Canal was built for our military,” Trump said, once again criticizing former President Jimmy Carter.
Trump Calls the Handing Over of the Panama Canal a “Big Mistake”
Trump called the decision to transfer the Panama Canal to Panama a “big mistake,” referring to the 1999 handover under treaties negotiated by Carter. He suggested this contributed to Carter’s loss in the 1980 election and reiterated his intention to take control of the canal after taking office.
The Panama government has firmly rejected any idea of surrendering control of the canal.
Donald Trump did not specify how he would regain control or whether he would use economic or military measures, responding only with, “Something will have to be done.”
These comments come as Jimmy Carter’s body is being transported to Washington for his state funeral, with the Panama Canal once again at the heart of geopolitical tensions.