President-elect Trump’s Demand for Panama Canal Control Sparks International Debate
President-elect Trump has sparked an international debate by stating that the United States would demand that Panama return control of the Panama Canal to the US if Panama does not halt the “rip-off” of the US. Trump claimed that the US built the canal, paid for it, and that President Jimmy Carter “foolishly gave it away” to Panama.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino shot back, stating that the Panama Canal belongs to Panama. Trump countered, saying that the canal was given to Panama, but with provisions that require fair treatment, which has not been the case.
The Panama Canal is vital to free commerce and national security interests, with approximately 73% of all ships passing through the canal heading to or coming from US ports. The canal played a significant role in World War II and is crucial for international supply chains and global maritime trade.
The growing influence of Communist China in Central and South America is also a concern, with Panama switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2017. China’s potential for espionage through the canal’s infrastructure is a concern, as it could provide insights into US logistics and military operations.
Trump’s demand is seen as an attempt to negotiate a new treaty and secure a better deal for the American people. This move is reminiscent of President Teddy Roosevelt’s playbook, who maneuvered a complex situation involving the French, Colombia, and Panama to build the canal.
The history of the Panama Canal treaty is also relevant, with President Carter giving full control of the canal to Gen. Omar Torrijos in 1977. This move was unpopular in the US and was a factor in Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign.
Legal scholars agree that a US president has the power to rescind or terminate a treaty, with examples including President George W. Bush’s withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and President Calvin Coolidge’s withdrawal from a convention to prevent smuggling with Mexico.
Trump’s demand has sparked concerns about the potential for China to embed surveillance technology in the canal’s infrastructure, which could increase strategic risks and provide China with key insights into US logistics and military operations. The situation is seen as an international chess game, with Trump playing a key role in shaping the outcome.
