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Panama firmly rejects Donald Trump's vow to "take back" the Panama Canal,as President Jose Raul Mulino made this crystal clear.
"The canal was not a concession from anyone," Mulino declared on social media. "It is and will remain Panamanian." His response came after Trump's inflammatory inaugural speech.
Trump alleged Chinese control over the canal. He claimed Panama had broken neutrality promises. "American ships are being severely overcharged," Trump stated. "China is operating the Panama Canal."
On the other hand, the facts paint a different picture. The canal handles 40% of U.S. container traffic. About 5% of global maritime trade flows through its 51-mile length. Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa runs two ports along the route.
History provides important context. The U.S. built the canal in the early 1900s. President Jimmy Carter signed it over to Panama in 1977. Full Panamanian control began in 1999. The treaty requires Panama maintain neutrality.
Marco Rubio raised security concerns. "These companies control both ends of this canal," he told a Senate hearing. "If China tells them to shut it down, we've got a big problem."
Trump's speech revealed broader territorial ambitions. "The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation," he announced. His plans extend beyond Panama. He previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark.
Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, criticized Trump's stance. "You can't be a president of peace and take back the Panama Canal," he wrote. This contradicts Trump's self-proclaimed goal of being a "peacemaker and unifier."
The Panama Canal remains a critical trade artery. Its future hangs in the balance of international relations. Panama stands firm on its sovereignty. The world watches as this diplomatic tension unfolds.
