The Panama Canal is once again at the center of a fiery international dispute, this time between President Trump and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino. Trump, never one to mince words, warned on Saturday that the U.S. could reclaim the canal if Panama doesn’t reduce its fees and counter Chinese influence. Mulino shot back the next day, declaring that “every square meter” of the canal belongs to Panama, while Trump cryptically responded with a sharp, “We’ll see about that!”
🇵🇦 Mensaje del Presidente José Raúl Mulino 🇵🇦 pic.twitter.com/DMXU8qAuNT
— José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) December 22, 2024
Trump’s initial comments on Truth Social laid out his case for why the Panama Canal remains a vital U.S. interest. Highlighting its strategic importance to national security and commerce, Trump reminded everyone of the canal’s American origins under President Teddy Roosevelt. He underscored the sacrifices made by the U.S., including the lives of 38,000 Americans lost during its construction. For Trump, the canal isn’t just an engineering marvel—it’s a critical asset that Panama has mismanaged by imposing what he called “ridiculous” fees on U.S. users.
Let’s not forget Trump’s swipe at President Jimmy Carter, who signed the treaties in the late 1970s that handed control of the canal to Panama in 1999. Trump called the move “foolish” and emphasized that the canal was intended to remain a cooperative arrangement—not a financial free-for-all or a playground for foreign powers like China.
Panama’s President Mulino, however, isn’t backing down. In a defiant video statement, he asserted that Panama’s sovereignty over the canal is non-negotiable. He insisted the canal isn’t controlled by China, the U.S., or any other global power. Mulino demanded respect for Panama’s independence and declared his government would not tolerate any narrative suggesting otherwise.
Trump’s curt response—“We’ll see about that!”—signals that this clash is far from over. His statement is vintage Trump: brash, unapologetic, and guaranteed to keep the spotlight on him. While the Panama Canal may be geographically far from America’s shores, the debate underscores its enduring significance in global politics—and Trump’s determination to reassert U.S. influence.
This showdown has all the makings of a major geopolitical standoff. Whether it’s about national pride for Panama or economic and security concerns for the U.S., neither leader seems willing to back down.
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