Mon Dec 23 19:22:05 UTC 2024: ## Trump Threatens to Reclaim Panama Canal Amidst China Concerns

**Panama City, Panama – December 23, 2024** – Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Panama, threatening to reclaim control of the Panama Canal due to concerns about growing Chinese influence and what he deems excessive canal fees. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump asserted that the US would “never let” the canal fall into the “wrong hands,” referencing its original construction by the United States over a century ago. He characterized the current fees charged by Panama as “ridiculous,” given past US support.

Trump’s statements come amid a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and China, particularly concerning naval power. China now boasts the world’s largest navy, surpassing the United States in terms of fleet size. The Panama Canal, a strategically vital waterway for global trade, is a key point of contention.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino swiftly rejected Trump’s threats, stating in a video message on X that “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama.” He emphasized that the canal is free from influence by China, the European Union, or any other power. Mulino expressed his hope for a respectful relationship with the incoming Trump administration, a sentiment met with a cryptic “We’ll see about that!” from Trump.

The dispute highlights the increasing competition between the US and China for global influence and control over key strategic assets. The Panama Canal’s importance to global trade and navigation underscores the high stakes involved in this geopolitical power struggle.

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