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.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to push for the return of the Panama Canal to American control, accusing Panama of charging exorbitant fees for its use. Speaking to supporters in Arizona, Trump expressed frustration over Panama’s management of the critical waterway, stating, "You've got to treat us fairly, and they haven't treated us fairly. 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 the United States of America in full, quickly, and without question. Not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly."
Trump also emphasized the strategic importance of the canal saying, "The United States is the number one user of the Panama Canal with over 72% of all transits heading to or from U.S. ports. Think of that. So we built it; we're the ones that use it. They gave it away. Considered one of the world's, really one of the great wonders of the world, the Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago and was built at a huge cost to the United States."
In response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected Trump’s remarks, reaffirming Panama’s sovereignty over the canal by stating, "Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belong to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable."
Mulino also defended the canal’s fees, which Trump had criticized as excessive, explaining, "Rates are not a whim. They are established publicly in an open hearing – considering market conditions, international competition, operating costs, and the needs of maintenance and modernization of the interoceanic waterway."
Trump’s comments have sparked a rare public diplomatic clash between the U.S. and Panama, with potential implications for their relationship moving forward. The Panama Canal remains a crucial link for global trade and U.S. military operations, making its future management a highly sensitive issue.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Britain’s Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds is set for a pivotal week of negotiations with U.S., EU, and Indian officials as fresh U.S. steel tariffs complicate the implementation of recent trade agreements.
Mongolia’s Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene has stepped down after losing parliamentary confidence amid public outrage over corruption allegations. His resignation follows weeks of protests in Ulaanbaatar accusing him and his family of misconduct.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 3rd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Britain’s Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds is set for a pivotal week of negotiations with U.S., EU, and Indian officials as fresh U.S. steel tariffs complicate the implementation of recent trade agreements.
An Egyptian national charged with tossing gasoline bombs at a pro-Israeli rally in Boulder, Colorado, injuring a dozen people, planned his attack for a year and used Molotov cocktails instead of a gun because his noncitizen status blocked him from buying firearms as prosecutors said.
Russia's overnight attacks killed one person in Ukraine's northeastern region of Kharkiv and injured several more in the northern city of Chernihiv, regional Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.
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