Trump's call to reclaim Panama Canal sparks controversy, raising concerns over U.S. diplomacy, China influence, and international law amid criticism of Panama's canal fees.
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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US President Donald Trump on Monday said expelling Russia from the G8 was a “mistake,” suggesting the absence of Moscow complicated global diplomacy, and expressed openness to the idea of China joining the group.
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Iran has called on Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to urge U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israel into a ceasefire, offering flexibility in nuclear talks in return, sources told Reuters on Monday.
Donald Trump's media company has filed for a Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF), prompting fresh concerns over potential conflicts of interest as the U.S. President remains active in both politics and cryptocurrency ventures.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said expelling Russia from the G8 was a “mistake,” suggesting the absence of Moscow complicated global diplomacy, and expressed openness to the idea of China joining the group.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
The United States has redirected the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from a scheduled stop in Vietnam to the Middle East, amid rapidly escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has raised alarms over regional energy security and trade stability as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, urging both countries to resume negotiations and keep critical maritime routes open.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
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US President Donald Trump on Monday said expelling Russia from the G8 was a “mistake,” suggesting the absence of Moscow complicated global diplomacy, and expressed openness to the idea of China joining the group.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
The United States has redirected the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from a scheduled stop in Vietnam to the Middle East, amid rapidly escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has raised alarms over regional energy security and trade stability as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, urging both countries to resume negotiations and keep critical maritime routes open.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that removing Russia from what was once the G8 was a “very big mistake,” claiming the ongoing war in Ukraine could have been avoided if Moscow had remained at the table. He also suggested China’s inclusion in the G7 could be considered.
Donald Trump's media company has filed for a Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF), prompting fresh concerns over potential conflicts of interest as the U.S. President remains active in both politics and cryptocurrency ventures.
US President Donald Trump on Monday said expelling Russia from the G8 was a “mistake,” suggesting the absence of Moscow complicated global diplomacy, and expressed openness to the idea of China joining the group.
Kazakhstan has named China’s CNNC as a strategic partner in its nuclear power expansion plans, signaling deeper energy cooperation between the two countries.
The United States has redirected the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz from a scheduled stop in Vietnam to the Middle East, amid rapidly escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has raised alarms over regional energy security and trade stability as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, urging both countries to resume negotiations and keep critical maritime routes open.
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