U.S. President-elect Donald Trump wrote on social media about his plan to regain control of the Panama Canal, reports the Adyrna national portal.
Donald Trump described the Panama Canal as vital to U.S. national interests. According to him, the canal’s security plays a critical role in U.S. trade and the rapid deployment of naval forces from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
“The United States is the largest user of the Panama Canal, with over 70% of transits passing through U.S. ports. Opened 110 years ago and considered one of the modern world’s wonders, the Panama Canal was built at a great cost to the United States in terms of human lives and resources — 38,000 Americans died from mosquito-borne diseases in the jungle during its construction. President Theodore Roosevelt, who oversaw the project, understood the importance of naval power and trade,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
Trump criticized former President Jimmy Carter for transferring the canal to Panama for “just one dollar,” allowing its management to fall under China’s influence.
“Similarly, Panama should never have been given the right to impose excessive fees and tolls for access to the canal, impacting U.S. Navy operations and corporations conducting business in our country. The tolls imposed by Panama are outrageous, especially given the extraordinary generosity the U.S. has shown Panama. Such injustices and unreasonable actions must end,” Trump stated.
Trump called for the Panama Canal to be “fully and unconditionally” returned to the United States and urged Panamanian officials to take steps in this direction.
