Trump threatens to try to regain control of the Panama Canal

President-elect Donald Trump has demanded Panama reduce Panama Canal fees or return it to US control, accusing the Central American country of charging “exorbitant prices” for US ships and naval vessels.

“The fees that Panama charges are ridiculous, highly unfair,” he told a crowd of supporters in Arizona on Sunday.

“This complete scam on our country will stop immediately,” he said, referring to when he takes office next month.

His comments prompted a swift rebuke from Panama’s president, who said that “every square meter” of the canal and its surroundings belongs to his country.

President José Raúl Mulino added that the sovereignty and independence of Panama were non-negotiable.

Trump made the comments to supporters of Turning Point USA, a conservative activist group that provided significant support to his 2024 election campaign.

It was a rare example of an American leader saying he could pressure a country to give up territory – although he did not explain how he would do so – and a sign of how American foreign policy and diplomacy may change once he enters the White House. after his inauguration on January 20.

Trump’s comments followed a similar post a day earlier in which he said the Panama Canal was a “vital national asset” for the United States.

If shipping rates are not reduced, Trump said Sunday, “we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in its entirety, quickly and without question.”

The 51-mile (82-kilometer) Panama Canal runs through the Central American nation and is the main link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

It was built in the early 20th century and the United States maintained control over the canal zone until 1977, when treaties gradually ceded the land to Panama. After a period of joint control, Panama assumed sole control in 1999.

Up to 14,000 ships pass through the canal each year, including container ships carrying cars, natural gas and other goods, and military vessels.

In addition to Panama, the president-elect also took aim at Canada and Mexico for what he called unfair trade practices. He accused them of allowing drugs and immigrants to enter the United States, although he described Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a “wonderful woman.”

Trump made his comments in front of thousands of people at the annual Turning Point conference, one of the largest gatherings of conservative activists in the country.

Turning Point poured enormous resources into get-out-the-vote efforts in swing states designed to support Trump and other Republicans during the election campaign.

It was his first speech since Congress approved a deal this week to keep the U.S. government open after several provisions were removed, including one that would have raised the country’s debt ceiling.

Trump had supported raising the debt ceiling, which restricts the amount of money the U.S. government can borrow.

But his speech on Sunday avoided that topic entirely, instead recapitulating his electoral victory and addressing issues – including immigration, crime and foreign trade – that were pillars of his campaign.

However, he did mention Elon Musk.

“You know, they’re in a new stage,” he said. “All different hoaxes. The new one is that President Trump has handed over the presidency to Elon Musk.”

“No, no, that’s not happening,” he said. “He’s not going to be president.”

Several speakers here at the conference criticized government spending and politicians of both parties; However, the divisions within the Republican Party that have manifested in Congress in recent days have been largely muted.