Well, President Trump is back at it, shaking up the global stage with his signature brand of “America First” diplomacy, and this time the Panama Canal is in his sights. Trump’s latest statement on Truth Social made it clear that he’s not thrilled with Panama’s transit fees for the canal, calling them “ridiculous” and threatening to demand the canal’s return to the United States if these “rip-off” charges don’t stop. Subtle? Not quite. But then again, Trump has never been one for subtlety.
https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1870617569696383027
Here’s the backdrop: The Panama Canal, built over a century ago under Teddy Roosevelt’s administration, remains one of the most vital shipping routes in the world, with over 70% of its traffic connected to the U.S. Its construction came at an immense cost—financially and in American lives—and Trump is making the case that Panama is biting the hand that built it by charging exorbitant fees for passage.
Now, let’s be honest: Trump’s beef isn’t entirely off-base. Ships pay anywhere from $0.50 to $300,000 to traverse the canal, depending on size, and the U.S. is its biggest user. It’s fair to question whether the U.S. is getting a raw deal, especially given the canal’s importance to both commerce and national security. Trump, of course, takes it further, accusing Panama of not living up to the spirit of the 1977 treaty that handed over control of the canal in 1999. His stance? If you don’t play nice, we’ll take it back.
And he’s not wrong to point out that Jimmy Carter’s decision to relinquish control of the canal has long been a controversial one. At the time, it was sold as a gesture of goodwill, but critics—including Trump—have argued that it was a strategic blunder. Trump’s statement ties that decision to his broader worldview: that America has been too generous for too long and needs to start demanding better deals.
https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1870637072656069089
Predictably, Trump’s comments are ruffling feathers, but they also raise legitimate questions about the balance of power in global trade and whether the U.S. is being outmaneuvered. Trump’s blunt style aside, the Panama Canal is undeniably a critical asset, and his call for a “secure, efficient, and reliable operation” underscores its importance.
So, will Panama back down? Will Trump actually try to take the canal back? Who knows. But Trump knows how to make people pay attention, whether they like it or not.
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