Staff Reports
In a recent display of his signature confidence and assertiveness, Donald Trump has once again taken aim at the Panama Canal, which he insists is being mismanaged and overpriced by our southern neighbor. Trump’s frustration centers on the “exorbitant prices and rates of passage” that shipping companies are facing, as well as the growing influence of China in the region. It’s no secret that Americans built the canal, and for Trump, it’s time to reconsider who is truly in charge of this vital passageway.
Responding to Trump’s provocative statements, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino rushed to clarify the situation in a video that came straight out of a sitcom script. Mulino asserted that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to them. While his patriotism is commendable, one has to wonder how it feels to hold onto something that was once an American enterprise. Mulino’s announcement also included a defense of the current shipping fees, which he claims are determined by expert analysis of operational costs and market conditions. That’s classic misdirection; the reality is the fees are a cash cow for Panama that hurts U.S. interests.
Trump criticized Panama for charging high fees and suggested that the canal's management may be influenced by foreign powers, particularly China.
In response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected Trump's assertions, emphasizing Panama's sovereignty over the… pic.twitter.com/Z0poBoXrl9
— Emma Grace (@EmmaGrace652) December 23, 2024
Despite Mulino’s pep talk about Panama’s sovereignty and the claim that the tariffs aren’t arbitrary, Trump was quick to fire back. Later that day, he expressed his discontent on Truth Social, letting everyone know that he’s not backing down. His retorts exhibited the kind of bravado that made him a household name, reminding critics that the U.S. does not take kindly to being strong-armed in its own backyard, especially by a country that owes its economic viability to American infrastructure.
Many conservative commentators are backing Trump on this issue, and it’s hard to argue against the notion that the Panama Canal is a national asset for the United States. Trump’s historical context points back to President Jimmy Carter’s notorious decision to hand over control of the canal for a mere dollar. Critics see this as a monumental blunder, allowing Panama to run the canal instead of it remaining a robust U.S. asset. The canal is vital for American commerce, as it facilitates shipping between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, making it indispensable for national security and economic stability.
As Trump prepares to settle into office once more, the potential for reshaping U.S.-Panama relations looms large. Calls for negotiating tactics regarding both the canal and other pressing issues, such as immigration, reflect a broader strategy of putting American interests first. Whether this situation escalates into a genuine diplomatic standoff or is simply another playful jab in political grandstanding remains to be seen. Trump’s readiness to confront sovereignty issues in the Western Hemisphere is emblematic of a broader commitment to changing the dialogue around America’s place in the world. The United States did not build the Panama Canal to play second fiddle to foreign nations, and it seems many conservative Americans agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly.
