by Independent Correspondent Alex Fields
President-elect Donald Trump expressed strong discontent over the fees imposed by Panama for the use of its iconic canal, a vital global trade route, during a statement on Saturday night. Trump suggested that if these tariffs are not reconsidered, he may push for U.S. oversight—or even control—of the waterway upon returning to office.
“The fees Panama is charging are outrageous, especially considering the immense support the United States has provided to that country over the years,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This exploitation of our country will stop immediately.”
The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, imposes charges on vessels based on their size, cargo, and purpose. These fees range from as little as $0.50 to upwards of $300,000.
“If Panama does not respect the moral and legal principles underpinning this historic arrangement, we will demand the canal’s full return to U.S. control without hesitation,” Trump added, addressing Panamanian officials directly.
The U.S. is the canal’s most frequent user, making its operation critical to American commerce and military logistics. Control of the canal was formally handed over to Panama in 1999 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter, a decision Trump sharply criticized.
“When Jimmy Carter recklessly handed it over—essentially for a dollar—it was meant for Panama to manage responsibly, not for third parties like China to interfere,” Trump stated.
Trump also accused Panama of overcharging U.S. businesses, the Navy, and other entities dependent on the canal, calling the rates “exorbitant” and “unacceptable.”
The Panama Canal was built under President Theodore Roosevelt starting in 1904, heralded as a monumental engineering feat and a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. Trump emphasized the canal’s strategic and economic significance, calling for its security to remain a priority for the United States.
“The Panama Canal is essential to our national security and economic stability. We will never allow it to fall into the wrong hands,” he declared. “It was given as a symbol of cooperation, not as a tool to exploit the United States unfairly.”
Trump’s remarks reignited debates over the U.S.’s historical involvement with the canal and its current geopolitical implications. Whether his administration would pursue concrete actions to revisit the canal’s governance remains to be seen.
