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.
More than 100,000 people entered Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan between 19 July and 1 August, increasing pressure on communities and humanitarian ...
Georgia has wrapped up one of its busiest periods of foreign policy activity in years, with almost all of it focused on Central Asia....
Türkiye's ruling alliance on Wednesday (5 August) submitted a bill to parliament aimed at advancing peace with the outlawed PKK by offering legal pro...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 5th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. President Donald Trump said there was an "all-day negotiation" on Tuesday with Iran, characterising the talks positively while also threatening to hit Iran "really hard" if a deal was not reached.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two key maritime chokepoints in the region, decreased significantly from the previous day, according to shipping data.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 6th of August, covering the latest developments.
Kazakhstan’s main oil export corridor was disrupted by drone strikes near Russia’s Black Sea coast in July, forcing a temporary suspension of crude loadings and raising fresh concerns over the vulnerability of regional energy infrastructure to the war in Ukraine.
Türkiye's ruling alliance on Wednesday (5 August) submitted a bill to parliament aimed at advancing peace with the outlawed PKK by offering legal protections to former militants who disarm.
Ukraine has warned that its ability to defend against Russian missile attacks is weakening as Moscow appears to be expanding its missile arsenal ahead of a possible winter campaign targeting critical infrastructure.
Azerbaijan and Ukraine are seeking to deepen cooperation in energy, reconstruction and trade, with Baku signalling its readiness to supply natural gas to Ukraine and expand its role in rebuilding projects following high-level talks in Kyiv.
Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) has approved Kyiv’s Resilience Plan for the autumn-winter season, aimed at strengthening the capital’s ability to withstand continued Russian attacks and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of critical services.
The UK government announced a new package of sanctions on Thursday (6 August) aimed at disrupting Russia's financial sector and oil exports, expanding pressure on Moscow more than four years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment