President Donald Trump says Panama Canal fees are too high
A future US president threatened that his country would take control of the Panama Canal. According to him, the basis for such action is Panama's failure to comply with the provisions of the 1977 treaty. “We demand the return of the entire channel, no questions asked,” President Donald Trump said.
On Saturday, the president-elect of the United States threatened that the United States would take control of the Panama Canal if Panama was found not to comply with the terms of the treaty on the legal status of the waterway. President Trump says his country can follow the law and try to take back critical shipping routes.
Panama Canal. Donald Trump: 'They charge too much'
As the Republican stated on the Truth Social platform, “If the moral and legal principles of this generous act of donation are not respected, we will demand a full refund of the Panama Canal, no questions asked.” . He said Panamanian authorities were charging too much in fees for using the canal.
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Politico reports that China is increasing its presence in Latin America, with the Hong Kong-based company controlling the canal's two entry and exit ports, while Chinese commercial entities and government agencies control shipping traffic within the waterway. It is pointed out that the government does not play a direct role in the management of
The canal is managed by Panamanian government agencies, and Beijing has made no recent moves to indicate it intends to purchase the route or expand its presence in Panama. Additionally, recently elected Panamanian President José Raul Mulino has pledged to strengthen cooperation with the United States.
Will the US break the law? Panama Canal's complex legal situation
In 1903, the United States signed a treaty with Panama that allowed the construction of a canal connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Washington guaranteed the canal's neutrality and control of the territory on both sides of the canal. The area, known as the Panama Canal Zone, was administered by the United States, and its residents were subject to American law.
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After decades of tensions over the canal, President Jimmy Carter's administration signed two agreements with Panamanian military dictator Omar Torrijos in 1977 to hand over control of the waterway by the end of 1999. The United States retains the right to defend the canal against any threat to its neutrality. As Politico highlights, analysts do not believe the terms of the treaty would allow Washington to legally regain control of the canal.
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