Staff Reports
President-elect Donald Trump has unleashed a storm of thoughts on the state of the Panama Canal, asserting that the United States has been getting the short end of the stick since President Jimmy Carter decided to hand over control back in 1977. On Truth Social, Trump didn’t shy away from dropping some truth bombs, suggesting that it might be high time for the U.S. to reclaim the important waterway. After all, he points out, the Panama Canal isn’t just a fancy ditch; it is a vital national asset that plays an essential role in both the economy and security of the United States.
Reeling off facts that could make any American proud, Trump emphasized the canal’s significance for U.S. commerce and military readiness. The numbers don’t lie—over 70% of transits through this engineering marvel are linked to American ports. With this statistic alone, Trump made it clear that maintaining control of the canal is akin to holding the keys to the kingdom for American trade and naval operations. As he reminisced about its history, it was hard not to imagine Teddy Roosevelt, the bull moose himself, approving of the conversation as he once championed its construction against numerous odds.
In a mockingly pointed critique of Carter’s 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, Trump highlighted the bewildering logic behind allowing a foreign government to impose exorbitant fees on American vessels sailing through what was built by American blood, sweat, and tears. The treaty, which phased out American control by 1999, was painted by Trump as one of the many blunders of the Carter administration—an era of diplomacy that seems more like a series of unfortunate events for the U.S. than a masterclass in international relations.
JUST IN: President Trump Floats Move To Reacquire Control Of The Panama Canalhttps://t.co/NuRLdOBXWi
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) December 22, 2024
Citing the rising tolls to pass through the canal, which can reach eye-popping figures that would make even a millionaire flinch, Trump hammered home the point that these charges squarely bear the mark of what he calls a “complete rip-off” of American interests. According to the president-elect, it’s preposterous for Panama to profit immensely from a waterway that was developed with significant investment from the United States, which, by his calculations, amounts to $15.7 billion.
Closing his fiery post, Trump laid out his intention clearly: if the Panama Canal isn’t treated with the reverence it deserves, he may very well demand its return to the U.S. Like a modern-day captain of the ship, he positioned himself in a role that conveys both a sense of duty toward America and a dash of swagger indicative of his leadership style. Whether raising the mighty American flag above the vital waterway becomes a reality depends on how situations play out, but it’s abundantly clear that Trump isn’t ready to let Panama call all the shots when it comes to one of the United States’ treasured assets.
