Trump threatens seizure of the Panama Canal
President-elect Trump has voiced strong discontent regarding the "rip-off" fees associated with the Panama Canal and has pledged to ensure that the trade route remains out of the "wrong hands." Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The president-elect of the United States has voiced his indignation regarding what he terms “rip-off” passage fees and has pledged to ensure the trade route is not placed in the “wrong hands.”
Donald Trump has indicated that Washington may seek to regain control over the Panama Canal if the Central American nation persists in imposing “exorbitant” fees on American vessels using the waterway.
In a post on the Truth Social network on Saturday, Trump remarked that “the fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US,” labeling the current situation a “complete rip-off.”
The fees for transiting the canal, a critical route that facilitates about 5% of global trade, vary between $0.50 to as much as $300,000 depending on the vessel and its cargo. Originally constructed under U.S. oversight in 1914, the canal has remained essential for the U.S.; over 70% of the cargo that navigates through it is either from or destined for the United States.
In 1999, the U.S. relinquished full control of the canal to Panama, following a 1977 treaty signed by then-President Jimmy Carter. However, Trump critiqued Carter’s decision as unwise, stating, “When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for one dollar, during his term in office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.”
He accused Panama of exploiting its control by demanding excessive fees from the United States, affecting both its Navy and various corporations. “It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States exorbitant prices and rates of passage,” he noted.
Trump cautioned that if Panama does not adhere to the moral and legal principles arising from this “magnanimous gesture of giving,” Washington “will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.”
He emphasized that control over this strategic passage must not “fall into the wrong hands,” expressing alarm over the operations of several port facilities near the canal by Chinese companies.
The canal's history is marked by substantial U.S. military involvement; in 1989, the U.S. invaded Panama with the objective of overthrowing General Manuel Noriega, the then-leader of the Central American country, who was sought by the U.S. on drug trafficking charges. The Panamanian defense forces could not contend with the U.S. military’s superiority, leading to Noriega’s capture and extradition. Despite the brief conflict, the U.S. faced criticism for the civilian casualties, which are estimated to be in the hundreds or even thousands.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
Donald Trump has indicated that Washington may seek to regain control over the Panama Canal if the Central American nation persists in imposing “exorbitant” fees on American vessels using the waterway.
In a post on the Truth Social network on Saturday, Trump remarked that “the fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US,” labeling the current situation a “complete rip-off.”
The fees for transiting the canal, a critical route that facilitates about 5% of global trade, vary between $0.50 to as much as $300,000 depending on the vessel and its cargo. Originally constructed under U.S. oversight in 1914, the canal has remained essential for the U.S.; over 70% of the cargo that navigates through it is either from or destined for the United States.
In 1999, the U.S. relinquished full control of the canal to Panama, following a 1977 treaty signed by then-President Jimmy Carter. However, Trump critiqued Carter’s decision as unwise, stating, “When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for one dollar, during his term in office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.”
He accused Panama of exploiting its control by demanding excessive fees from the United States, affecting both its Navy and various corporations. “It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States exorbitant prices and rates of passage,” he noted.
Trump cautioned that if Panama does not adhere to the moral and legal principles arising from this “magnanimous gesture of giving,” Washington “will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.”
He emphasized that control over this strategic passage must not “fall into the wrong hands,” expressing alarm over the operations of several port facilities near the canal by Chinese companies.
The canal's history is marked by substantial U.S. military involvement; in 1989, the U.S. invaded Panama with the objective of overthrowing General Manuel Noriega, the then-leader of the Central American country, who was sought by the U.S. on drug trafficking charges. The Panamanian defense forces could not contend with the U.S. military’s superiority, leading to Noriega’s capture and extradition. Despite the brief conflict, the U.S. faced criticism for the civilian casualties, which are estimated to be in the hundreds or even thousands.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
