Decoded: The Reason Behind Trump's Desire for the Return of the Panama Canal and Its Implications for the Global Community

 



Decoded: The Reason Behind Trump's Desire for the Return of the Panama Canal and Its Implications for the Global Community 

The Panama Canal, an extraordinary accomplishment of civil engineering, serves as a vital international trade passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. For more than a hundred years, it has functioned as a passageway for vessels, sparing them from a treacherous voyage around the southern extremity of South America. Its strategic significance has rendered it a recurrent topic of political friction, particularly with the United States, which has historically maintained considerable control over its administration. 


Recently, the canal has once again captured public attention following comments made by former President Donald Trump, who insisted on the return of the watercourse to the US unless Panama modifies its management practices. These declarations have rekindled debates regarding the canal’s economic importance, its historical context, and its prospective future. 

Why is Trump seeking the return of the Panama Canal? 


In a recent message on his Truth Social network, Donald Trump voiced his indignation regarding what he viewed as “excessive” charges imposed by Panama for utilizing the canal. He labeled the fees as “outrageous” and condemned Panama for what he termed a “shakedown” of the United States, a nation that had “granted remarkable generosity” to Panama. Trump’s comments, articulated ahead of his second presidential run, highlighted that he would not allow the canal to be handed over to the “incorrect parties,” hinting at China’s expanding presence in the area. Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, promptly countered, rejecting Trump’s assertions. Mulino dismissed the idea that Panama’s fees were inflated and reiterated the nation’s sovereignty over the canal. “Every square inch of the Panama Canal and its surrounding areas belongs to Panama, and it will remain that way,” he stated in a video address. This exchange illustrates the intricate relationships concerning the canal’s ownership, administration, and its worldwide relevance. 

The Panama Canal ranks among the most crucial waterways globally, playing a significant role in international commerce. It acts as a shortcut for vessels navigating between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, saving them the long detour around Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip. Stretching 51 miles (82 km) across the Isthmus of Panama, the canal offers a quicker and safer pathway for freight ships, diminishing travel distances by as much as 7,000 nautical miles.

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