President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage, which allows ships to cross between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
In a Saturday evening post on Truth Social, Trump also warned that he would not let the canal fall into the "wrong hands," and he seemed to warn of potential Chinese influence on the passage, writing that the canal should not be managed by China.
China does not control or administer the canal. However, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson Holdings manages two ports located on the Caribbean and Pacific entrances to the canal, respectively.
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.
"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.
"It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. 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 wrote.
The Panamanian embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.
The waterway, which allows up to 14,000 ships to cross per year, accounts for 2.5% of global seaborne trade and is critical to U.S. imports of autos and commercial goods by container ships from Asia, and for U.S exports of commodities, including liquefied natural gas.
It is not clear how Trump would seek to regain control over the canal, and he would have no recourse under international law if he decided to make a play for the passage.
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In a sharp diplomatic clash, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to push for the return of the Panama Canal to American control, accusing Panama of overcharging the U.S. for its use.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade on Sunday, demanding accountability for the collapse of the roof at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1st, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people and injuries to 2 others
Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain is back to its full glory after months of restoration. The historic landmark, one of the city’s top tourist attractions, reopened following cleaning and repair work that began in October.
Vietnam’s first subway line has officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City, offering a 19.7-kilometer route designed to ease traffic and reduce pollution. Built with Japanese support, the subway connects key city areas, marking a major milestone in urban development.
Syria is rebuilding after years of conflict, with Idlib hosting a major concert celebrating newfound freedoms. Thousands gathered for the event, as the country’s cultural revival coincides with political shifts and the fall of the Assad regime.
In a sharp diplomatic clash, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to push for the return of the Panama Canal to American control, accusing Panama of overcharging the U.S. for its use.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade on Sunday, demanding accountability for the collapse of the roof at the Novi Sad railway station on November 1st, which resulted in the deaths of 15 people and injuries to 2 others
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