Donald Trump continues to shake international balances with his statements before taking office. Targeting the Panama Canal, Trump claimed that American cargo ships were being charged unfair fees and said, “We will take back control of the canal if necessary!”
The newly elected US President Donald Trump continues to shake up the world agenda with his statements on social media in the days before he takes office. Having previously targeted Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union, Trump has now targeted the Central American country of Panama. In his statements on Saturday evening, Trump claimed that the Panama Canal charges high fees to American cargo ships, implying that the canal could be taken back to the US.
Trump reportedly claimed in his social media posts that Panama had violated the 1977 agreement, saying, “We cannot allow these unfair fees to be charged to American cargo ships. We will regain control of the canal if necessary!” Trump’s statements have once again called into question the international balance regarding the neutral status of the Panama Canal.
The Panama Canal was built in 1903 following an agreement between the US and the newly independent Republic of Panama. The US undertook the construction of the canal and administered the area around the completed canal, called the “Canal Zone,” until 1999. However, in 1977, with the agreement signed by then-US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian President Omar Torrijos, control of the canal was gradually transferred to Panama. This process was completed in 1999, but the neutrality of the canal was still guaranteed by the US military.
Trump’s insinuation that he could withdraw from the agreement signed with Panama in 1977 also raises a serious debate in terms of international law. According to the agreement, the neutrality of the Panama Canal requires equal treatment for all ships in the world. However, Trump claims that Panama charges high fees to American ships.
Behind this statement may lie Trump’s protectionist and aggressive foreign policy, shaped by his “America First” slogan. However, experts warn that such statements could have serious repercussions in both regional relations and international law.
While the Panamanian government did not make an official response to Trump’s statements, diplomatic sources emphasized the importance of using moderate language to ensure that relations between the two countries are not affected by such statements.
Trump’s efforts to “adjust” the world via social media before taking office indicate that the new period will be quite eventful in terms of international relations.
According to Reuters, President-elect Donald Trump criticized Panama for charging excessive fees for the Panama Canal and threatened to demand control if Panama mismanages it. He also warned against Chinese influence over the canal, stating it should not fall into the “wrong hands.”
