‘Complete rip-off’: Trump’s threat to seize trading route
Donald Trump has threatened to take back control over a crucial waterway as he lays out his second-term plans ahead of his inauguration.
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US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to take back control over the Panama Canal, accusing the nation of charging “ridiculous” fees to use the passage.
Speaking to supporters at AmericaFest in Arizona,Mr Trump said he would not let the canal fall into the “wrong hands”, warning of potential Chinese influence.
“Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal?” he said.
“Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else.”
Mr Trump said Panamanian authorities “haven’t treated us fairly” in the operation of the canal, which the US ceded control of in 1999.
After the event, Mr Trump fired off two Truth Social posts framing it as an issue of national and financial security.
“Welcome to the United States Canal!” he wrote above a picture of the canal with an American flag planted in it.
“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question,” Mr Trump wrote.
“To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly,” he wrote.
“The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security.”
In another post, Mr Trump wrote: “A secure Panama Canal is crucial for US Commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to US ports.”
Mr Trump also included the historical context of how the Panama Canal was built and shared his thoughts on the circumstances of the transfer of its deed.
“The Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago, and was built at HUGE cost to the United States in lives and treasure,” he wrote.
“When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else,” Mr Trump said.
“This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop,” he wrote, before introducing the ultimatum to the leaders of the nation of Panama. “We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!”
Mr Trump’s comments revealed an expected shift in US diplomacy and were a rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign nation to hand over territory.
In other comments made at AmericaFest, Mr Trump vowed to commence “the largest deportation operation in American history” as soon as he takes office on January 20, 2025.
.“On my first day back in the Oval Office, I will sign a historic slate of executive orders to close our border to illegal aliens and stop the invasion of our country,” Trump said.
“And on that same day, we will begin the largest deportation operation in American history, larger even than that of President Dwight D Eisenhower,” he added.
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