President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to re-establish US control of the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging exorbitant prices to use the key Central American passageway, which Panama runs through. There has been a strong response from the president of Jose Raul Malino. Reuters Reported
Speaking at a rally in Arizona, Trump warned that he would not let the canal fall into the “wrong hands” and expressed concern about Chinese influence. Although China does not control the canal, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings manages two ports at the Caribbean and Pacific entrances.
Trump repeated the threat hours later in a truthful social media post, claiming, “Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Because we’re being ripped apart in the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped apart everywhere.” has been.”
The remarks are a rare example of a US leader suggesting that a sovereign nation should relinquish control of its territory. Trump criticized the Panamanian fee as “ridiculous” and “grossly unfair,” saying, “It was given to Panama and the people of Panama, but there are provisions in it. You have to be fair to us.” He added that if the “moral and legal” principles of the canal transfer were not upheld, the US would demand its return.
In response, Panamanian President Malino issued a recorded statement reaffirming Panamanian sovereignty over the canal, stating, “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its surrounding territory belongs to Panama. And the relationship (with Panama) will remain.”
The canal, which facilitates about 2.5 percent of global maritime trade, was transferred to Panama in 1999 after decades of U.S. control under agreements reached in 1977. The law offers no basis for such a claim.