President-elect Donald Trump has been vocal about his belief that the Panamanian government must lower shipping rates for U.S.-based vessels or face repercussions. During a Turning Point USA event in December 2022, he said, 'We're being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we're being ripped off everywhere else.' This highlights his aggressive stance on protecting American shipping interests. Trump's remarks have sparked discussions around national pride and the potential risk of foreign influence over critical infrastructure, echoing historical worries about U.S. sovereignty.
Trump's focus on the Panama Canal and his suggestion of possibly reclaiming it illustrates a broader strategy of invoking America First sentiments. It recalls the political dynamics of the 1970s when conservative factions united against ceding control of the canal to Panama. This historical context underlines how Trump's current rhetoric could galvanize a diverse conservative coalition by revisiting an issue that once brought together factions uncomfortable with social and cultural divides, aiming to reinforce a unified front in contemporary politics.
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