Trump’s Controversial Call to Reclaim the Panama Canal

“Panama Canal.” Brittanica , 30 Jan. 2025, cdn.britannica.com/73/75873-050-D9FF99F9/tugboat-one-ship-locks-Panama-Canal.jpg. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

President Donald Trump has stated that he would like to reclaim the Panama Canal. His argument rests on the premise that it was a mistake for the United States to relinquish their control of the canal in the first place. Today, the Panama Canal is regarded as a valuable trade route due to the fact that it connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  For context, the canal was originally constructed by the U.S. and was run under American control. However, in 1977, General Omar Torrijos and President Jimmy Carter signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties that transferred ownership of the canal to Panama, starting from the year 1999. However, some of the claims Trump has made at one of his more recent political rallies has raised concerns over a possible shift in U.S. foreign policy. 

Panama has openly opposed Trump’s statements. In fact, José Raúl Mulino, their current leader, has emphasized that the canal rightfully belongs to Panama and will remain that way. Additionally, officials in Panama have addressed Trump’s remarks regarding Chinese involvement, stating that while Chinese firms have won a few infrastructure contracts, they do not control canal operations. On top of this, the Panama Canal Authority, which is the organization that oversees the waterway, has assured the international community that the canal remains neutral and dedicated to global trade. To further defend Panama’s ownership over the canal, protests have emerged in Panama City, the capital of Panama, with demonstrators strongly advocating against the idea of U.S. intervention.

On the global scale, other Latin American leaders have condemned Trump’s comments and have reaffirmed their support for Panama’s sovereignty and ownership of the canal. Take for example the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), which has issued a strong statement rejecting any U.S. interference. This issue has also divided politicians in the United States. Ted Cruz has stated that he believes Panama is violating the 1977 treaty by explicitly favoring Chinese economic interests, and this view has been supported by other republican senators in America as well. Others, however, are confident that any attempts to reclaim the canal would have an extremely negative impact on the relationship between the United States and Latin America as a whole. 

This controversy highlights the significance of the Panama Canal and its role in global trade. The canal remains a symbol of sovereignty for Panama, and any attempt to alter its status could have far-reaching diplomatic and economic consequences. As of right now, we can only watch to see whether Trump’s efforts take action and transform into actual policy action.

Works Cited

Davies, Alys. “Trump Ramps up Threats to Gain Control of Greenland and Panama Canal.” BBC News, 7 Jan. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzn48jwz2o.

Jazeera, Al. ““That Is Sealed”: Panama President Says No Discussions over Canal with US.” Al Jazeera, 30 Jan. 2025, www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/30/that-is-sealed-panama-president-says-no-discussions-over-canal-with-us. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

jcookson. “Expert Context: What’s Going on with Trump and the Panama Canal?” Atlantic Council, 27 Jan. 2025, www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/expert-context-whats-going-on-with-trump-and-the-panama-canal/.

Office of the Historian. “Milestones: 1977–1980 – Office of the Historian.” State.gov, 2020, history.state.gov/milestones/1977-1980/panama-canal.

“Panama Canal Treaty of 1977.” State.gov, 2004, 2001-2009.state.gov/p/wha/rlnks/11936.htm.

Yuan, Shawn. “Does China “Operate” Panama Canal, as Trump Says?” BBC, 22 Jan. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1km4vj3pl0o.