DONALD TRUMP WANTS TO SEIZE THE PANAMA CANAL AND GREENLAND, HERE'S WHY
The list of things President-elect Donald Trump wants to do during his second term continues to grow and now the Panama Canal has become an interesting subject. Trump wants to regain control of the Panama Canal if the tariff situation doesn’t improve for Americans. While Panamanian leadership rejects this idea, the vagueness of Trump’s proposal continues to beg the question—how exactly are you going to go about it if you do want control back? Well, in more recent comments less than two weeks before his second term, Trump is not ruling out the use of military force while also eyeing other nations to add under U.S. control.
Donald Trump Wants the Panama Canal Back
Donald Trump made headlines with his ideas about the United States controlling the Panama Canal because of increased fees.
One of the most important trade routes for our supply chain, Trump has expressed dismay about the U.S. giving up control; however, it’s not as simple as moving Americans back in place.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino is not a fan of the idea and believes the comments are dismissive of the nation’s sovereignty.
However, Trump is adamant about the Central American ally following the terms and conditions of the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977, calling for consequences otherwise.
President José Raúl Mulino Won’t Budge
Despite Trump’s strong words about the Panama Canal, Panama’s President Mulino doesn’t plan to give up control stating that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to his country.
Mulino has defended the increase in fees as the cost of operations has risen in recent years for a number of reasons, including complex supply-demand dynamics.
Furthermore, Mulino emphasized that Panama independently expanded the canal to boost traffic, with fee increases and funding improvements.
A drought in 2023 bled into 2024, affecting the Panama Canal and the costs of operating it. Specifically, man-made Gatún Lake provides the canal’s water and reached the lowest ever levels on record for the body of water in January.
Trump would respond on Truth Social, declaring, “We'll see about that!" While also posting a picture of an American flag in the canal, antagonizing the country online.
Why the U.S. No Longer Controls the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal, built by the U.S. in the early 1900s, facilitates commercial and military transit between coasts.
Control was fully transferred to Panama in 2000 under a 1977 treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter, following tensions and protests over U.S. governance.
Still, the partnership between the United States and Panama involving the canal remains very important for American interests as the waterway handles $270 billion in cargo annually, including 40% of U.S. container traffic.
Why is the Panama Canal Important to the Military?
The Panama Canal has been a critical strategic asset for the military since its completion in 1914. Its geographic location and design made it a vital resource for global military operations, particularly for the United States.
Significantly, the Canal provided the U.S. with strategic mobility, allowing ships to transit quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing travel time compared to navigating around the southern tip of South America.
Secondly, the canal serves as a logistical hub, facilitating the transport of troops, equipment, and supplies. During World War II, it was critical for moving warships and cargo between theaters of operation.
During the Cold War, the canal was a key element in deterring Soviet influence in Latin America and ensuring quick naval movement in case of hostilities.
In the modern day, the canal has been integral for naval dominance, allowing fleets to respond flexibly to threats in both oceans. It also supports operations involving submarines, carriers, and other vessels, enhancing maritime security.
The canal was handed over to Panama in 1999. However, it remains strategically important for global military logistics. Agreements ensure that its neutrality and accessibility are maintained.
Donald Trump Open to Using the Military to Take the Panama Canal and Greenland
Controlling the Panama Canal has proved itself useful from a military standpoint, specifically, during the Cold War era.
It’s obviously a major part of American and global trade, but how does Trump plan to go about getting control back?
At first, the President-elect didn’t give specifics, despite making such bold statements.
It felt outlandish to believe that military action could be taken and even legal action against our ally would have been a bit shocking.
However, things move fast and loose these days in the world of politics and when given an opportunity to take an international conflict off of the table, Trump did anything but that.
When asked about ruling out military action to take the Panama Canal, Trump responded, “I’m not going to commit to that. It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.”
Making matters worse, not only has the President-elect pointed to potential military action to take over the Panama Canal, but he’s also looking at a potential conflict involving Greenland.
While speaking on the Panama Canal, Trump added, “We need Greenland for national security purposes."
This is a very true statement due to its strategic placement of troops and infrastructure, however, the context of bringing up our ally, the autonomous territory of Denmark, among such rhetoric is concerning.
Trump has even doubled down speaking of how much support his MAGA movement has in Greenland as rumors swirl about adding the country to the United States.
In addition to Donald Trump potentially seizing the Panama Canal and his potential ambitions involving Greenland, the President-elect has expressed interest in renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, while also adding Canada through economic efforts, forgoing a militaristic approach.
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