In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial stance on reclaiming control of the Panama Canal has found an ally in U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). She emphasized the strategic importance of the Panama Canal and argued that U.S. oversight is critical to secure global trade routes, aligning with Trump’s stance on the issue. Moreover, she said “… The American people have given President Trump a mandate. They are tired of our nation not putting Americans first.”
Mandate? Trump failed to win 50 percent of the popular vote and defeated his opponent by a mere 1.5 percent. That’s not a mandate by any stretch.
Trump’s recent statements regarding the Panama Canal have stirred international attention. He labeled the current situation a “rip-off” and demanded that Panama reduce tariffs on U.S. vessels using the waterway. The President-elect went further, threatening to “demand the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without reservation” if his requests were not met. But, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, asserted that “every meter of the Panama Canal would continue to be under Panamanian control” as this situation highlights the potential for diplomatic tensions as Trump prepares to return to the White House in January 2025.
Historical Context
The Panama Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was under joint U.S.-Panamanian management until 1999. The transfer of control to Panama was facilitated by a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Annually, approximately 14,000 vessels transit through the canal, significantly reducing travel times for cargo ships compared to circumnavigating the Americas. As Trump prepares to take office, his “America First” foreign policy approach is expected to be a priority. However, it remains to be seen what specific actions, if any, he will take regarding the Panama Canal situation.