Panama President Rejects Donald Trump’s Plan To ‘Take Back’ Panama Canal

Panama’s president, Jose Raul Mulino has rejected Donald Trump’s plan to reclaim the Panama Canal, asserting that the vital trade route “is and will remain” under Panama’s control.

In his inaugural address as 47th United States President, Trump accused Panama of violating its neutrality agreement, claiming that “China is operating the Panama Canal.”

In a swift response, President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed Trump’s allegations entirely, stating that no foreign nation interferes with Panama’s management of the canal.

The Panama Canal is a critical trade route for the United States, facilitating about 40% of its container shipping between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

President Trump argued in his second term speech that American ships are being overcharged and unfairly treated.

He said, “American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form and that includes the United States Navy.

“And above all China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”

Trump also referred to the 1977 treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter, which gradually transferred control of the canal to Panama by 1999, as “a big mistake.”

President Mulino, in a social media post, emphasized the historical struggles that led to Panama’s control of the canal which operates under a neutrality treaty, open to vessels from all nations.

“The canal was not a concession from anyone. It was the result of generational struggles that culminated in 1999,” Mulino wrote.

Trump’s comments also sparked discussions about Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa, which operates ports on both ends of the canal.

Some US officials, including Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, have expressed concerns about China’s influence.

Rubio stated during a senate hearing last week, “the very legitimate concern is these companies control both ends of this canal and at a time of conflict and the Chinese tell them ‘shut it down and don’t let the US go through there’ we got a big, big problem. A big economic problem and a big national security and defence problem.”

Critics of Trump’s remarks, including former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, questioned how such actions align with a vision of peace.

McFaul said, “You can’t be a president of peace and take back the Panama Canal.”

In addition to the canal, Trump has previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, though Denmark firmly rejected the idea.

While he did not mention Greenland in his address, Trump outlined his expansionist goals, stating, “The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons.”

KanyiDaily recalls that Pope Francis criticized Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation plans, calling them a “disgrace” and emphasizing the harm they could cause to vulnerable migrants.