Tue Dec 24 05:11:50 UTC 2024: ## Trump’s Panama Canal Threat Sparks International Outcry

**Panama City, Panama** – President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to reclaim control of the Panama Canal has been met with swift and sharp rebukes from Panamanian officials. Trump cited unfair treatment of American ships and growing Chinese influence as justification for his claim. However, Panama’s government insists the canal, a vital piece of Panamanian national identity and a major economic driver, remains firmly under Panamanian control.

The 50-mile waterway, operated by the autonomous Panama Canal Authority, is constitutionally defined as an inalienable part of Panama. While the US accounts for 74% of cargo transit, followed by China at 21%, Panama maintains complete operational control, setting tolls and enforcing safety regulations. President José Raúl Mulino categorically denied any Chinese or other foreign influence on the canal’s operations.

The canal’s history is intertwined with Panamanian independence from Colombia in 1903, and the subsequent US construction and operation under a treaty that finally transferred control to Panama on December 31, 1999. This transfer, a culmination of decades of Panamanian struggle, is viewed as a hard-won victory and a key element of national pride. Former President Martin Torrijos called any attempt to reverse this transfer “an insult to the memory of those who made it possible.”

The canal, a marvel of engineering using a lock system to raise and lower vessels, significantly shortens shipping routes, saving thousands of kilometers for transits between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It contributes 6% of Panama’s GDP and has generated over $28 billion for the country since 2000. Recent expansion projects have further increased the canal’s capacity, allowing for the transit of significantly larger vessels.

Trump’s statement has been widely condemned as a disregard for international treaties and Panamanian sovereignty, highlighting the sensitive political and historical context surrounding the canal and its enduring significance for global trade.

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