House Republicans Introduce Bill to Repurchase Panama Canal Amid Trump’s Concerns Over Chinese Control
House Republicans have introduced a bill to repurchase the Panama Canal, a critical waterway, amid concerns raised by President-elect Trump that it is under Chinese control. The bill, named the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, was introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a member of the Select Committee on China and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The bill gives the president authority to negotiate with the Panamanian government to reacquire the canal. The measure specifies that the president has 180 days from the date of enactment to submit a report to Congress detailing the progress of negotiations, potential challenges, and anticipated outcomes.
According to Johnson, the canal’s strategic importance to the United States is evident in its use by 72% of all vessels that travel through it, which are either coming from or going to a U.S. port. The canal is also a key transit point for U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Defense vessels. Without access to the canal, ships would be forced to travel an additional 8,000 miles around South America.
Further, the U.S. Department of State estimates that the canal generates billions of dollars in tolls, which would economically benefit America. More than 10,000 ships use the Panama Canal each year, generating billions of dollars in tolls.
The bill has 15 other Republican co-sponsors, including Reps. Dan Crenshaw, Randy Weber, Troy Nehls, and Brian Babin of Texas; Mike Collins, Barry Loudermilk, and Andrew Clyde of Georgia; Barry Moore of Alabama; Jack Bergman of Michigan; Mike Rulli of Ohio; Neal Dunn and Aaron Bean of Florida; Erin Houchin of Indiana; Abraham Hamadeh of Arizona; and Mike Lawler of New York.
Trump’s concerns over Chinese control of the canal were sparked when he accused China of abusing the gift of the canal and expressed his suspicions that it is currently under Chinese control. However, the Panamanian government has denied these claims, citing that the United States relinquished control of the canal in 1999 under a treaty negotiated by former President Jimmy Carter.
The U.S. Department of State estimates that around 72% of all vessels that travel through the Panama Canal are coming from or going to a U.S. port, making it a critical waterway for the United States.
