Trump threatens to take back control of Panama Canal over ‘ridiculous payments’ | US Election 2024 News

Trump also hinted at China’s growing influence around the Atlantic-Pacific canal.

US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to demand control of the Panama Canal after accusing Panama of imposing excessive tariffs on US ships passing through one of the world’s busiest waterways.

“Our Navy and Commerce have been most unfairly and unfairly treated. The tariffs charged by Panama are ridiculous,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform on Saturday.

“This complete “dismantling” of our country will be stopped immediately.”

The US built the canal mainly in 1914 and controlled the area surrounding the crossing for decades. But Washington gave full control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after a period of joint administration.

Trump also hinted at China’s growing influence around the Atlantic-Pacific canal.

“It was only for Panama, not China or anyone else,” he said. “We will never and will not allow it to fall into the wrong hands!”

The post was a rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign country to cede territory.

“It was not given for the benefit of others, but only as a sign of cooperation with us and Panama. “If the moral and legal principles of this compassionate donation gesture are not respected, then we will demand the full and unquestioned return of the Panama Canal,” Trump said.

Trump’s tariff plan

It also underscores an impending shift in US diplomacy under Trump, who has historically not shied away from threatening allies and using rhetoric with colleagues.

Last month, Trump said he would Imposing tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports on the first day of his administration and said these measures will continue until the “invasion” of undocumented migrants and drugs is ended.

“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily resolve this long-simmering issue. We hereby demand that they use this power until it is time for them to pay a heavy price!” he wrote on his social platform Truth.

Panamanian authorities did not immediately respond to Trump’s post.

About 5 percent of global maritime traffic passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships traveling between Asia and the US East Coast to avoid the long, dangerous route around the southern tip of South America.

The Panama Canal Authority reported in October that the waterway generated record revenues of nearly $5 billion last fiscal year.