President-elect Donald Trump publicly addressed the Panama Canal this Sunday, claiming the U.S. is being “scammed from all sides.”
Donald Trump, president-elect of the United States, has denounced the Panama Canal as a “scam” and stated he will demand its return if the fees charged for ship transit are not reduced. During an event for the ultraconservative organization Turning Point in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said the fees are “extremely unfair” and do not reflect the “extraordinary generosity” that the United States showed by transferring canal management to Panama in 1999.
Trump emphasized that the canal is vital for U.S. commerce and Navy operations. He stated, “They are scamming us on the Panama Canal just like they are scamming us everywhere,” and warned Panamanian officials they must adhere to “moral and legal” principles if they wish to avoid a formal claim to regain control of the canal.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded to Trump’s statements, asserting that the canal is and will remain Panamanian. He underscored that his administration has improved canal operations since its transfer. Mulino also noted that fees are set publicly in open hearings, taking into account market conditions and operational costs.
The Panama Canal was controlled by the United States from its construction in 1914 until 1999, when it was transferred to Panama under the terms of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977. This transfer marked a historic moment in relations between the two countries.
Key Points About the Canal:
- It is a strategic maritime route connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
- It generates significant revenue for Panama and is crucial for global maritime trade.
- Its transfer to Panama was the result of lengthy diplomatic negotiations.
- Since 1999, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has operated it efficiently and professionally.
Trump also criticized former President Jimmy Carter for having “foolishly” given up the canal, suggesting that China has influence in its administration, which he finds unacceptable.
Image: DiarioNY
