President-elect Donald Trump has expressed interest in reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, a crucial maritime route for global commerce. Trump criticized the fees associated with using the canal and claimed the US 'foolishly gave it away' during the Carter administration. The canal, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, sees over half of its traffic heading to or from American ports, despite the US not owning or operating it. China is increasingly expanding its influence in Latin America, raising concerns about its potential control over key shipping routes.
President-elect Donald Trump has floated the idea of taking over the Panama Canal – a vital maritime route for global trade that was once under American control. At a rally in Arizona, on Sunday Trump criticised fees to use the vital Latin American shipping lane, a day after complaining
Here’s what you need to know about this key interoceanic waterway, which Panama’s president says is not for sale.The Panama Canal is one of the modern engineering wonders of the world, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. It opened in 1914 after a US-backed secession of the land and before decades of contentious intercontinental negotiations for its control.
Following a push by president Theodore Roosevelt, Congress in 1902 authorised the purchase of the French assets and the plans to build a canal. However, the Colombian government rejected a US bid for the land to build a canal, according to the State Department. Shortly afterward, the Roosevelt administration threw its military weight behind a brewing independence movement, Omang reported.
However, tensions over the canal’s American possession spilled over the decades that followed. The growing nationalist sentiment in Panama and increasing anti-American protests over the canal zone ultimately led President Jimmy Carter to negotiate the end of US control. The Stolt Lotus tanker ship navigates through the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal near Panama City, on Sunday.Since that handover, the canal has become the centrepiece of Panama’s economy – generating about $US4 billion in revenue each year. According to the US International Trade Administration, about 70 per cent of ships moving through the canal are going to or coming from US ports.
PANAMA CANAL DONALD TRUMP UNITED STATES CHINA LATIN AMERICA
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Donald Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal over excessive ratesPresident-elect Donald Trump muses about regaining US control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive fees for use of the waterway.
Read more »
Donald Trump's threat to retake control of Panama Canal rejected by country's presidentPanamanian President José Raúl Mulino said Panama's independence was non-negotiable after Donald Trump said the US was being 'ripped off' by the canal's passage rates.
Read more »
Trump threatens to retake control of Panama canal in speech to conservative activists"We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question."
Read more »
Trump Suggests US Should Retake Panama CanalFormer President Donald Trump has called for the US to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, alleging unfair fees charged by Panama. The Panamanian government swiftly rejected the proposal.
Read more »
Trump Renews Push to Buy Greenland, Angering AlliesUS president-elect Donald Trump has reignited his controversial attempt to purchase Greenland from Denmark, further straining relations with allied nations even before his inauguration. Trump stated in a Sunday announcement that US ownership and control of Greenland is 'an absolute necessity' for national security and global freedom. This comes after Trump's weekend suggestion to reclaim control of the Panama Canal and his comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st US state. Political analysts note that Trump's aggressive tactics towards friendly nations echo his business dealings.
Read more »
Elon Musk ‘not taking the presidency’, says Donald TrumpThe prospect of the Tesla billionaire taking over is “not happening” Donald Trump tells supporters, and says the US could seek to retake control of the Panama Canal.
Read more »