Trump's tough stance on Panama Canal: Will not let it fall into wrong hands, will take it back if necessary

Washington: Newly elected US President Donald Trump has taken a tough stance on the Panama Canal, saying that it is an important asset of America and it will not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Trump accused former President Jimmy Carter of handing over the canal to Panama as a “stupid decision” and said the tariffs being charged by Panama were unfair to the US.

Trump said in his statement, “The Panama Canal is considered an important national asset for the United States because it plays a vital role in the American economy and national security. A secure Panama Canal is vital to American commerce and the rapid deployment of the Navy from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and significantly reduces shipping times to American ports. “The United States is the number one user of the canal, with more than 70 percent of transit going to or from U.S. ports.”

Trump further said that the canal was too costly for Americans and it was given away in a 'stupid' manner by former US President Jimmy Carter. He warned of Chinese influence in the region.

Panama Canal is one of the wonders of the world

He said, “Regarded as one of the wonders of the modern world, the Panama Canal opened for trade 110 years ago and its construction took a heavy toll on America – 38,000 Americans died from mosquito-infested forests during construction. People had died. Teddy Roosevelt was the President of the United States at the time of its construction and he understood the power of the Navy and the power of trade. When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away for one dollar during his tenure, it was up to Panama to manage it, not China or anyone else.”

Trump said that the canal was to be managed by Panama. He criticized Panama for charging “exorbitant prices” from the US.
“Panama does not have the right to charge excessive prices and passage rates to the United States, its Navy, and the corporations doing business in our country,” he said. Our navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious manner. The tariffs being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially considering the extraordinary generosity the US has given to Panama. This entire “fraud” of our country will stop immediately.”

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The incoming US President said the US would never let the Panama Canal fall into the “wrong hands”.

“The United States has, and has always understood, a vested interest in the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal,” he said. We will never let it fall into the wrong hands! It was not given for the benefit of others, but only as a symbol of our cooperation and with Panama. If both the moral and legal principles of this generous gesture are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us completely and without question. Panamanian authorities are requested to guide accordingly!”

Completed in 1914, the Panama Canal was a symbol of American technological prowess and economic power. Although American control of the canal ultimately became an irritant for US–Panama relations, it was seen at the time as a major foreign policy achievement, since the US had built the canal.

(with agency input)