Panama Responds to Trump’s Threat to Retake Control of the Panama Canal
President-elect Donald Trump has criticized the Panama Canal for charging “exorbitant tolls and fees” to U.S. naval and commercial vessels, demanding a reduction in these fees or a return of the canal to U.S. control.
“The tolls charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially given the extraordinary generosity the United States has shown toward Panama,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “This complete ‘scam’ against our country will stop immediately.”
The United States is the canal’s largest customer, accounting for approximately three-quarters of the annual cargo traffic. However, the canal has been facing operational challenges due to a prolonged drought, which has impacted its capacity to facilitate the passage of ships between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
In the 2024 fiscal year, the Panama Canal Authority contributed $2.47 billion to Panama’s treasury, marking the second consecutive annual decline.
Panama’s Response
Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, firmly addressed Trump’s remarks on Sunday, asserting the nation’s unwavering sovereignty over the canal.
“Fellow citizens, as president, I want to state clearly that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will remain so. Our sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable,” Mulino declared in a video released by the government.
He further emphasized that neither China nor any other global power holds direct or indirect control over the canal, which will continue to remain in Panamanian hands.
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