Panama's leader clashes with Trump on the topic of the Panama Canal
Panama's president asserted the country's "sovereignty and independence is non-negotiable."
TroibNews 
Shortly after President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his plans to reclaim the Panama Canal, Panama's president asserted on Sunday that the canal will continue to be under the administration of his nation.
In a social media video, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who was elected this year with promises to strengthen ties with the United States, dismissed Trump’s assertion that the U.S. could retake control of the strategically significant waterway. He also countered Trump’s claims that American vessels were facing unjust and steep fees to navigate through the canal.
“As president, I want to clearly state that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjoining zone is Panama's and will remain so," Mulino stated. "The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable.” He added that the canal is a crucial part of Panama’s heritage, stating that every Panamanian “carries it in their heart.”
Trump maintained his stance on reclaiming the Panama Canal following a statement he made on Truth Social on Saturday. He asserted that the United States is being “ripped off” regarding the canal and hinted that China is increasing its influence over it. “We're being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we're being ripped off everywhere else,” Trump remarked on Sunday.
“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,” he declared during his first major public appearance with supporters since the election at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix. “We’re not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly.”
The reasons behind Trump's recent focus on this crucial shipping passage remain unclear. Panama has been a reliable ally following the U.S. removal of dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989. Although China had previously engaged earlier Panamanian administrations in infrastructure projects and a Hong Kong-based firm operates two ports at either end of the canal, management of the canal itself lies with an independent entity, the Panama Canal Authority.
Mulino's administration has committed to strengthening its relationship with the United States, and there have been no recent announcements from China regarding further investments or initiatives related to the vital shipping route.
The United States played a significant role in Panama's independence from Colombia in the early 20th century, enabling the construction of a long-sought waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans that would enhance maritime shipping efficiency. For many years, the U.S. controlled the canal and the surrounding territory known as the Panama Canal Zone. Notably, Future U.S. Senator John McCain was born there in 1936.
However, tensions arose over the canal zone, leading to the Carter administration in 1977 signing two treaties with then-military dictator Omar Torrijos that stipulated the transfer of control of the canal to Panama by 1999 while allowing for U.S. military intervention to maintain the canal's neutrality. Nevertheless, analysts generally agree that no provision of the Torrijos-Carter treaties would grant the U.S. the legal means to reclaim the canal.
Trump outlined the historical context, stating that the United States “built” and “uses” the canal, and that it was given to Panama as a “token of cooperation,” but he claimed that Panama has not treated the U.S. fairly since that handover. “Our Navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama,” he commented. “This complete ripoff of our country will immediately stop. It's going to stop.”
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a social media video, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who was elected this year with promises to strengthen ties with the United States, dismissed Trump’s assertion that the U.S. could retake control of the strategically significant waterway. He also countered Trump’s claims that American vessels were facing unjust and steep fees to navigate through the canal.
“As president, I want to clearly state that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjoining zone is Panama's and will remain so," Mulino stated. "The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable.” He added that the canal is a crucial part of Panama’s heritage, stating that every Panamanian “carries it in their heart.”
Trump maintained his stance on reclaiming the Panama Canal following a statement he made on Truth Social on Saturday. He asserted that the United States is being “ripped off” regarding the canal and hinted that China is increasing its influence over it. “We're being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we're being ripped off everywhere else,” Trump remarked on Sunday.
“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,” he declared during his first major public appearance with supporters since the election at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix. “We’re not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly.”
The reasons behind Trump's recent focus on this crucial shipping passage remain unclear. Panama has been a reliable ally following the U.S. removal of dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989. Although China had previously engaged earlier Panamanian administrations in infrastructure projects and a Hong Kong-based firm operates two ports at either end of the canal, management of the canal itself lies with an independent entity, the Panama Canal Authority.
Mulino's administration has committed to strengthening its relationship with the United States, and there have been no recent announcements from China regarding further investments or initiatives related to the vital shipping route.
The United States played a significant role in Panama's independence from Colombia in the early 20th century, enabling the construction of a long-sought waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans that would enhance maritime shipping efficiency. For many years, the U.S. controlled the canal and the surrounding territory known as the Panama Canal Zone. Notably, Future U.S. Senator John McCain was born there in 1936.
However, tensions arose over the canal zone, leading to the Carter administration in 1977 signing two treaties with then-military dictator Omar Torrijos that stipulated the transfer of control of the canal to Panama by 1999 while allowing for U.S. military intervention to maintain the canal's neutrality. Nevertheless, analysts generally agree that no provision of the Torrijos-Carter treaties would grant the U.S. the legal means to reclaim the canal.
Trump outlined the historical context, stating that the United States “built” and “uses” the canal, and that it was given to Panama as a “token of cooperation,” but he claimed that Panama has not treated the U.S. fairly since that handover. “Our Navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama,” he commented. “This complete ripoff of our country will immediately stop. It's going to stop.”
Mark B Thomas contributed to this report for TROIB News
