President-elect Trump Threatens to Reclaim Panama Canal Over China's Influence and Overcharges

Dec 22, 2024, 12:10 AM

President-elect Donald Trump announced that he may demand the return of the Panama Canal to the United States. Citing concerns over Panama overcharging U.S. ships and the risk of the canal falling into the 'wrong hands', Trump declared, 'We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the US.' He emphasized the canal's importance to U.S. commerce and national security, referencing China's growing influence in the region since the U.S. transferred control to Panama in 2000. He also alluded to the decision made under President Jimmy Carter to relinquish control of the canal.