Donald Trump asserted that the Panama Canal should be returned to the US if Panama fails to manage the waterway to acceptable standards. He characterized Panama's charges as excessive, claiming they represent a significant rip-off of US generosity, and vowed to halt such practices immediately.
Trump warned against potential Chinese influence over the Panama Canal, emphasizing its status as a critical national asset for the US and its importance to national security and commerce.
Reflecting on a shift in US diplomacy under his upcoming administration, Trump indicated he would push for increased defense spending among NATO allies, aligning with his broader strategic economic and security concerns globally.
Historical context matters: the US transferred control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after decades of joint administration, a decision stemming from the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties negotiated by then-President Jimmy Carter.
Collection
[
|
...
]