Tue Jan 21 12:17:43 UTC 2025: ## Trump Vows to Reclaim Panama Canal in Inaugural Address
**Washington D.C.** – In a controversial inaugural address, President Donald Trump positioned himself as a peacemaker while simultaneously vowing to seize control of the Panama Canal from Panama. The President’s declaration, made without detailing a plan, follows weeks of refusing to rule out military action.
Trump’s justification centers on the increased presence of Chinese companies around the canal, claiming that the US “didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.” Panama vehemently denies any Chinese operational role in the canal and asserts its sovereignty.
Trump characterized the original handover of the canal as a “foolish gift,” alleging unfair treatment and overcharging of American ships, including the US Navy. Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio, while stopping short of endorsing military action, acknowledged the issue’s legitimacy and the potential for Chinese influence to disrupt US access to the canal.
This aggressive stance contrasts with Trump’s self-proclaimed role as a peacemaker, citing a Gaza ceasefire deal as a testament to his diplomatic efforts. However, his inaugural address also included a symbolic challenge to Mexico, announcing the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
Trump’s actions mark a sharp departure from the 1977 agreement under President Jimmy Carter, which returned the canal to Panama. The new President’s emphasis on an “America First” policy and his threats regarding the Panama Canal and Greenland raise significant international concerns.
First Piper 