United States: President-elect Donald Trump has called on Panama to reduce fees for the use of the Panama Canal, labelling the current charges “ridiculous” and “highly unfair” to American shipping and naval vessels. Speaking at a Turning Point USA conference in Arizona, Trump warned that if the fees remain unchanged, he would drive for the canal to be returned to U.S. control.
Trump stated that, “This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop,” adding that the canal is a “vital national asset” for the U.S. His remarks come ahead of his inauguration on January 20.
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino swiftly denied Trump’s comments, asserting that “every square metre” of the canal and its surrounding area belongs to Panama. Jose Raul Mulino emphasised that the nation’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.
Trump’s suggestion of reclaiming the canal marks a significant departure from longstanding U.S. foreign policy. The canal, a 51-mile (82-km) waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was under U.S. control until treaties in 1977 gradually assigned authority to Panama. The Central American nation assumed full control in 1999.
The canal facilitates the passage of approximately 14,000 ships annually, transporting goods like cars, natural gas, and military cargo. Trump did not detail how he would implement such a demand, but his comments underline a potential shift in American diplomacy and trade policy.
In his speech, Trump also criticised Canada and Mexico for what he described as unfair trade practices and charged them of contributing to the U.S.’s drug and immigration issues. However, he lauded Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, calling her a “wonderful woman.”
The event marked Trump’s first public appearance since Congress enacted a government funding bill earlier this week. Despite his previous support for raising the debt ceiling, Trump avoided the topic, instead focusing on his election victory and signature campaign themes, including immigration and crime.
Trump’s remarks came during Turning Point USA’s annual conference, a major gathering of conservative activists. The group played a pivotal role in boosting voter turnout in swing states during the 2024 election, helping to secure Trump’s return to the White House.
While divisions within the Republican Party have been evident in Congress in recent weeks, they were largely absent from the conference. Instead, speakers focused on government spending and conservative priorities.
Trump took a moment to dismiss rumours circulating online that he had ceded the presidency to tech billionaire Elon Musk. As Trump prepares to accept office, his remarks on the Panama Canal and other trade issues signal a more combative approach to international relations, leaving allies and rivals alike bracing for change.
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