Staff Reports
Donald Trump has once again stirred up the political waters, suggesting that during his upcoming administration, he may take a stab at reclaiming the Panama Canal. The reasoning behind this bold proclamation? The ex-president believes the current tolls for shipping through this critical waterway are simply outrageous. He expressed that the U.S. “foolishly” handed over control of the canal to its Central American neighbor, igniting a wave of controversy and a can-do attitude from the MAGA faithful.
In an almost eye-rolling response, Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, firmly rejected the idea, calling it a blatant disregard for his nation’s sovereignty. One might imagine him shaking his head in disbelief as Trump declared that those sky-high shipping fees are a direct rip-off, adding another layer to the ongoing tug-of-war between American interests and foreign policy intricacies. Sure, the canal is vital for Panama, contributing to a significant portion of their annual revenue, but why let facts get in the way of a good campaign speech?
Trump now more directly threatening to take full control of the Panama Canal, just hours after Panama’s president vowed that “every square mile” would remain under Panamanian control pic.twitter.com/Uj7ZHqiUTQ
— Alex Ward (@alexbward) December 22, 2024
Trump’s remarks came alive at a rally in Phoenix, where his ardent supporters cheered him on, showcasing the party unity that seems to defy recent disarray within GOP ranks. During this event, he promised his “dream team Cabinet” would unleash economic prosperity, secure the borders, and tackle international conflicts without skipping a beat. It was a scene reminiscent of a high-energy pep rally, reinforcing the belief that the era of hand-wringing bureaucracy was on its way out as Trump claimed the “Golden Age of America” was dawning.
While the spirit in the rally was optimistic, it contrasted sharply with the chaos brewing in Congress, where budget disputes festered. Though Trump made a point to avoid directly addressing the Capitol Hill drama, he did reference tech mogul Elon Musk’s influence. It seems the two have become an unlikely duo, drawing the ire of some House Republicans who have largely turned Congress into a reluctant player in Trump’s grand game.
As Trump laid out his grievances about the Panama Canal, it was hard not to recall historical context. The United States navigated the complexities of global interests, transferring control of the canal in 1999 under a treaty signed during the Carter administration. Fast forward to today, and the fallout from droughts in Central America has subsequently affected shipping operations, raising rates and making the waterway a hot-button topic once again.
Despite Mulino’s staunch defense of Panama’s rights to the canal, stating the tariffs are determined based on calculated operational costs and demand, Trump’s rhetoric suggests he is anything but finished on this topic. He hinted that if the “moral and legal” principles of the deal aren’t respected, a push for reclaiming the canal would be in the works—exuding all the calm assurance of a man who has been known to make a few waves in politics.
The situation surrounding the Panama Canal certainly showcases the tangled web of geopolitics and trade policy, but it also amplifies Trump’s role as a standard-bearer for a more assertive American stance abroad. Whether or not his proposal gains real traction remains to be seen, but amid a crowd of conservative supporters, it’s clear that the appetite for bold declarations is still alive and well within the Republican Party.
