December 23, 2024 | Arcnews.online
President-elect Donald Trump has stirred controversy after threatening to reclaim U.S. control over the Panama Canal, a vital maritime passage that has been under Panamanian sovereignty since 1999. Speaking at a rally in Arizona on Sunday, Trump accused Panama of overcharging for use of the canal and warned that the passage could fall into the “wrong hands,” alluding to potential Chinese influence. His comments immediately drew strong opposition from Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, and raised questions about the future of U.S.-Panama relations.
Trump, addressing a crowd at the annual AmericaFest event organized by Turning Point, a conservative advocacy group, referred to the canal as a vital U.S. asset. “Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” he said, criticizing the rates Panama charges for passage through the canal, a crucial route for global trade.
The U.S. leader further stressed that he would not allow the canal to fall under foreign control, particularly warning against Chinese influence, a theme he has often raised during his political career. “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, quickly and without question,” Trump declared, referencing the 1977 accords and 1999 handover that formally ended U.S. control over the waterway.
Panamanian Response
The remarks immediately prompted a sharp rebuttal from Panama’s President Mulino, who defended the sovereignty of Panama over the canal. In a statement released on social media, Mulino declared that Panama’s control of the canal was “non-negotiable” and refuted any claims of Chinese dominance over its operations. “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama,” Mulino stated.
Trump’s comments were also centered on the notion that China has some level of influence over the canal. While it’s true that a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings manages two ports at the canal’s entrances, the Chinese government does not control or administer the canal itself. Mulino made it clear that the passage rates charged by Panama were not arbitrary, highlighting that they were set based on longstanding agreements.
The Historical Context
The Panama Canal was originally built and operated by the United States, which controlled the canal and its surrounding areas for much of the 20th century. In 1977, the U.S. and Panama signed the Torrijos–Carter Treaties, which outlined a gradual transfer of control to Panama, culminating in 1999 with the canal fully under Panamanian jurisdiction. The canal remains one of the most strategically important waterways in the world, facilitating roughly 2.5% of global trade.
Despite Trump’s rhetoric, it is unclear how the former U.S. president would seek to reclaim the canal, especially given the complexities of international law. Any attempt to do so would almost certainly face significant legal and diplomatic hurdles, not to mention the potential for escalating tensions between the U.S. and Panama.
A Pattern of Controversial Expansionist Remarks
Trump’s latest comments are not the first time he has publicly entertained the idea of territorial expansion. Throughout his political career, Trump has suggested the U.S. might seek greater control over foreign territories. He previously proposed buying Greenland from Denmark in 2019, only to face swift rejection from Danish authorities. In recent weeks, he has mused about the possibility of turning Canada into a U.S. state, although it remains unclear whether this is a serious policy proposal or another of Trump’s trademark provocative statements.
The suggestion to reassert control over the Panama Canal adds a new chapter to Trump’s rhetoric, which has often been characterized by a combative approach to both allies and adversaries. His comments on the canal come at a time when global political dynamics are shifting, and his language raises questions about how his administration would handle international relations if he returns to office.
Global Repercussions
The controversy over the Panama Canal is likely to have far-reaching consequences for U.S. foreign policy, particularly in its relations with Latin American nations. Panama’s strategic importance as a hub for global trade and transportation means that any perceived threats to its sovereignty could provoke a broader geopolitical crisis. Moreover, the conversation surrounding Chinese influence in the region underscores the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, especially as the Asian superpower seeks to expand its global economic presence.
As the situation develops, analysts will be watching closely to see whether Trump’s rhetoric represents a genuine shift in U.S. foreign policy or merely another provocative stance in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
