International

Trump Vows To Take Back Panama Canal Over ‘Ridiculous’ Fees

Published

9 hours ago

Dec 23, 2024.

Dennis

President-elect Donald Trump has called on Panama to lower fees for use of the Panama Canal or return control of the waterway to the United States, accusing the Central American nation of imposing “exorbitant prices” on American shipping and naval vessels.

“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair,” Trump told supporters at an event in Arizona on Sunday. “This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop when I take office.”

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Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino quickly rebuked Trump’s remarks, asserting that “every square meter” of the canal and its surrounding area belongs to Panama. Mulino emphasized that the country’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.

Trump made his statements during a speech to Turning Point USA, a conservative activist group that played a pivotal role in his 2024 election campaign. His comments marked a rare instance of a U.S. leader suggesting the possibility of reclaiming foreign territory, though he did not specify how he might achieve such an outcome.

The remarks also signaled a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy under his leadership, as he reiterated his view that the Panama Canal is a “vital national asset” for the United States. Trump warned that if shipping rates are not reduced, “we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question.”

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The Panama Canal, a crucial 51-mile (82-kilometer) link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was built by the United States in the early 1900s. It remained under U.S. control until treaties signed in 1977 initiated a gradual transfer of ownership to Panama, which assumed full control in 1999. Today, the canal accommodates up to 14,000 ships annually, including cargo vessels and military ships.

In addition to criticizing Panama, Trump took aim at Canada and Mexico, accusing them of engaging in unfair trade practices and facilitating the entry of drugs and immigrants into the U.S. However, he praised Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a “wonderful woman.”

The Arizona speech was Trump’s first public appearance since Congress passed a deal to keep the federal government open, omitting provisions that would have raised the debt ceiling—an issue Trump had supported. Instead, he focused on familiar campaign themes such as immigration, crime, and trade, while celebrating his election victory.