Donald Trump Threatens to Reclaim Panama Canal, Claims US Is Being ‘Ripped Off’

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his plan to take back control of the Panama Canal. He claims that Panama is charging too much to use this important waterway and suggests that China might influence its operation.

This statement has caused a disagreement with Panama, whose leaders insist on the canal’s independence.

Speaking in Arizona, Trump emphasized the canal’s importance for global trade, allowing ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans without navigating around the southern tip of South America.

The canal is crucial as it lets about 14,000 ships pass through each year, making up about 2.5% of the world’s sea trade.

The U.S. built the canal and opened it in 1914, but handed control over to Panama in 1999 after an agreement in 1977.

Trump criticized the current fees and management, stating at an event, “Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else.”

Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, has firmly stated that Panama owns every part of the canal and its nearby land, and that will not change. He also mentioned that while a company from Hong Kong manages two of the canal’s ports, China does not control the canal itself.

In response to Mulino’s comments, Trump simply said, “We’ll see about that!” It is not yet clear how Trump would try to take back control of the canal.

This news follows Trump’s other bold ideas, like turning Canada into a U.S. state and his past interest in buying Greenland. These statements show Trump’s unique approach to dealing with international matters and land agreements.