- Trump suggests US could take control of Panama Canal
- Panama's president says sovereignty is non-negotiable
- Trump targets Canada, Mexico over trade, immigration
President-elect Donald Trump recently made comments suggesting that he could push Panama to return control of the Panama Canal to the United States, in what would be a dramatic shift in American foreign policy. Trump’s remarks were made during a speech to supporters of Turning Point USA, a conservative activist group that played a significant role in supporting his 2024 election campaign.
In a statement that raised eyebrows, Trump declared that the U.S. would demand the return of the Panama Canal if shipping rates were not lowered. “If shipping rates are not lowered, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question,” he said. This remark came just one day after he called the Panama Canal a “vital national asset” for the United States.
The Panama Canal, a vital shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is located in Panama and spans 51 miles (82 kilometers). Originally built in the early 1900s, the U.S. controlled the canal zone until 1977, when treaties began gradually transferring control to Panama. By 1999, Panama gained full control of the canal.
Trump’s comments, suggesting that the U.S. could push Panama to hand over the canal, represent a rare instance of a U.S. leader openly making territorial demands of another nation. While Trump did not elaborate on how he would go about reclaiming the canal, the remarks signal potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy once he is inaugurated on January 20, 2025.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino responded to the remarks by reiterating that Panama’s sovereignty and independence were non-negotiable. “Panama’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable,” Mulino said, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to its own control over the canal.
Trump also criticized other countries, including Canada and Mexico, for what he termed “unfair trade practices,” accusing them of allowing drugs and immigrants into the U.S. Despite these criticisms, Trump praised Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, calling her a “wonderful woman.”
The former president made these remarks in front of thousands of conservative activists at Turning Point USA’s annual conference. Turning Point has been a major player in rallying support for Trump and other Republicans, particularly in key swing states during the election campaign.
It was Trump’s first public speech since Congress passed a deal this week to keep the U.S. government open. The deal, which saw the removal of several provisions, including one to raise the national debt ceiling, avoided a government shutdown. Trump had supported raising the debt ceiling but did not address the issue in his speech. Instead, he recapped his election victory and focused on topics such as immigration, crime, and foreign trade—issues that were central to his campaign.
In addition to these remarks, Trump addressed rumors circulating about him having ceded the presidency to tech mogul Elon Musk. “You know, they’re on a new kick,” he said, referring to the “hoaxes” surrounding his presidency. “The new one is that President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk. No, no, that’s not happening. He’s not gonna be president.”
While many speakers at the conference voiced concerns about government spending and criticized politicians from both major parties, the internal divisions within the Republican Party, which have recently played out in Congress, were largely avoided during the event.
