“Rip-off” in the Panama Canal
Trump threatens Panama – President Mulino: sovereignty “non-negotiable”
Donald Trump wants US ships to pay less money for the Panama Canal. If the “rip-off” doesn’t stop, he threatens consequences. Panama’s head of state reacts outraged.
“Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belonged to Panama and would continue to belong to Panama.” With these words, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino defends himself against Donald Trump’s threat to “take over” the important ocean connection. Panama’s sovereignty and independence were “non-negotiable,” he added, and demanded “respect” for his country.
Donald Trump: “‘Total ‘rip-off’ will stop immediately”
The US President-elect criticizes the “ridiculously high fees” that the Central American state charges for passage through the connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and announces that he will return the Panama Canal, which was once built by the US, back to US control after he takes office bring.
“Our Navy and merchant fleet have been treated in a very unfair and unreasonable manner,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network. “This total ‘rip-off’ of our country will stop immediately.” Should Panama be unable to ensure the “safe, efficient and reliable operation” of the canal, the US would “demand the full and unconditional return of the Panama Canal.”
In 1999, Panama took control of the canal
The USA completed the Panama Canal in 1914. In 1977 it was handed over to Panama as part of an agreement signed by then Democratic US President Jimmy Carter. In 1999, the Panamanian state took control of the waterway. Trump also claims that China exerts too much influence over the management of the Panama Canal.
President Mulino now said: “The canal is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by China, the European Community, the United States or any other power.” “As a Panamanian, I strongly reject any statement that distorts this reality,” Mulino said in a video message.
Record income despite drought
As a result of a period of drought, ship passage through the freshwater-fed canal had been restricted for months since November 2023. According to the latest information from October, the canal authority’s annual income still amounted to a record value of around 4.8 billion euros.
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© Dominic Gwinn / ZUMAPRESS.com / Picture Alliance
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The Panama Canal is of central importance for world trade. It is estimated that five percent of global commercial shipping traffic passes through the waterway. The canal opens up a short route for cargo ships between the Atlantic and the Pacific, saving them the lengthy and dangerous journey around South America. The countries that use the Panama Canal most intensively are the USA, China, Japan and South Korea.
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
