Photo: evenfh / Shutterstock
President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out military force to retake control of the Panama Canal, while making unsubstantiated claims about Chinese control of the waterway.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, when directly questioned about potential military or economic coercion regarding both Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump responded with an ominous “No.. I can’t assure you on either of those two.”
Trump justified his stance by emphasizing the canal’s strategic importance, stating, “The Panama Canal was built for our military… It’s being operated by China. China! And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to China. And they’ve abused it.”
The statement comes amid an escalating dispute between Trump and Panama over Panama canal operations, with Trump recently criticizing Panama’s “exorbitant” toll structure and alleged control by Chinese interests.
The Panama Canal, which handles approximately 6% of global maritime trade, has been struggling with operational challenges and drought-related issues.
Panamanian officials have strongly rejected Trump’s assertions, defending their sovereign control over the canal. The Panama Canal is operated and maintained by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an autonomous agency of the Panamanian government. The ACP assumed control of the canal on December 31, 1999, when the United States transferred the canal to Panama under the Torrijos–Carter Treaties.
While a Chinese company, Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, operates two terminals at opposite ends of the Panama Canal, there are no known direct links between CK Hutchison and the Chinese Communist Party.
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 109,076 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
In response to recent damage to critical undersea infrastructure, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated an advanced AI-powered surveillance system to monitor potential maritime threats and track Russia’s...
The US has blacklisted China’s largest shipping line and two shipbuilders over alleged links with the People’s Liberation Army, as Washington turns its attention to the country’s massive maritime sector.
Pangaea Logistics Solutions (NASDAQ: PANL) has successfully expanded its existing fleet with fifteen handy-size vessels from Strategic Shipping Inc. (SSI), a privately held company managed by M.T. Maritime Management (USA)...
Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 109,076 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
