In brief
In a recent escalation, President-elect Trump has threatened to reclaim control over the Panama Canal, citing high fees for U.S. vessels and incorrectly claiming Chinese military oversight, stirring debate within the Republican Party.
President-elect Donald J. Trump has heightened his rhetoric regarding control of the Panama Canal, making assertions that Panama imposes "exorbitant prices" on U.S. shipping and erroneously claiming Chinese forces operate the canal. His statements include a warning that if fees are not adjusted after he assumes office, he will demand that the U.S. regain full control of the canal "quickly and without question."During a recent announcement for his nominee for ambassador to Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, Trump accused the Panamanian government of exorbitant charging practices. Taking to his social media platform, he expressed festive wishes to “the wonderful soldiers of China," inaccurately linking them to the canal's operations, while lamenting that America invests "Billions of Dollars" into canal upkeep with no say in its management.His fixation on the canal appears to resurface long-held sentiments in some Republican circles, dating back to trials of the past GOP leadership. Former President Ronald Reagan famously remarked that American citizens are the canal's "rightful owners," emphasizing a belief that its control should remain with the U.S. The transition of the canal's control to Panama was finalized on December 31, 1999, following treaties brokered under President Jimmy Carter's administration. This move has remained controversial among certain factions within the Republican Party, who continue to express skepticism regarding the handover. Ryan C. Berg, who heads the Americas program at a Washington think tank, noted the persistent doubts about relinquishing rights to the canal in certain Republican circles.
