Cargo ships pass through the Panama Canal
A cargo ship passes through the Panama CanalFile photo: Reuters
On the first day of his second term, Donald Trump tried to prove himself as an ambassador of peace and a tough defender of US interests. For example, in his inauguration speech, he promised to take control of the Panama Canal. He also urged Russia to reach an agreement with Ukraine.
Trump was sworn in as president on Monday and returned to the White House for a second four-year term.
On his first day as president for the second time, Trump signed several executive orders. He withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO).
He blocked the removal of Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. He announced that he would rename the Gulf of Mexico as the ‘Gulf of the Americas’. Although his announcement was symbolic, it was certainly provocative.
Trump has repeatedly talked about taking control of the Panama Canal in the past few weeks since winning the November election.
Trump made the same point in his first speech after taking the oath of office at the Capitol in Washington, DC. Trump alleged that China’s influence around the important waterway is growing and that China is effectively operating the Panama Canal.
The United States dug the 82-kilometer-long canal to connect the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The canal was opened to navigation in 1914. After digging, the United States initially controlled the canal. In 1999, the United States handed control of the canal to Panama.
On Monday, Trump said, “We didn’t give this canal to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
The Panama Canal is important for US trade by waterway. 40 percent of the country’s container cargo passes through this canal. Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out the possibility of using military force against Panama. Panama has traditionally had friendly relations with Washington.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has immediately denied allegations that any other country is interfering in the operation of the Panama Canal. He said that his country operates the canal following the principle of neutrality.
Calling for a discussion if there are any objections, Mulino added that the canal will remain Panama’s and Panama’s.
In his inauguration speech, Trump also said, “The United States’ commercial and naval vessels have to pay extra to travel through the Panama Canal and they (US vessels) are not treated fairly in any way. The purpose of our agreement and the reason for our agreement are being completely violated.”
After the excavation, the United States initially operated the Panama Canal. In 1977, former US President Jimmy Carter began talks to hand over control of the canal to Panama. At that time, Carter said that he considered it a moral obligation to respect a less powerful but fully independent country.
