Trump threatens to regain control of Panama Canal
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
US President-elect Donald Trump has accused Panama of charging excessive fees for the use of the Panama Canal. The Republican stated that if the country does not manage the canal appropriately, he will demand to hand it over, reports Hindustan Times.
"The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
He also warned that he would not allow the canal to fall into "the wrong hands." The publication noted that Trump was likely referring to possible Chinese influence on the canal, stating that China should not manage it.
"It was not given for the benefit of others but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full and without question," he concluded.
Hindustan Times recalled that the United States largely built and managed the area around the canal for decades. However, in 1999, the US government fully transferred control of the canal to Panama after a period of joint management.
Recently, Trump issued a warning to the European Union. He stated that EU member states must purchase more oil and gas from the United States. Otherwise, tariffs will be imposed.
"I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large-scale purchase of our oil and gas. Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!" he wrote on his Truth Social account.
