As we reported, Donald Trump has several times
in recent days threatened to take the Panama Canal back into U.S.
control because they’re ripping us off with “exorbitant prices and rates
of passage” and are overly influenced by the Chinese.
We built it: 'Complete Rip-Off' Will Stop: Trump Floats Making Panama Canal America's Again
Panamanian president José Raúl Mulino got wind of the idea and summarily rejected it in a video statement Sunday:
A
short time after Trump’s [Sunday speech at AmFest], Mulino released a
video declaring that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama
and will continue to belong” to his country.
Without mentioning
Trump by name, Mulino addressed the president-elect’s complaints over
rising fees for ships crossing the canal, saying that they are set by
experts who take into account operational costs, and supply and demand
factors.
“The tariffs are not set on a whim” Mulino said. He noted
that Panama has expanded the canal over the years to increase ship
traffic “on its own initiative,” and added that shipping fee increases
help pay for improvements.
“Panamanians may have different views
on many issues” Mulino said. “But when it comes to our canal, and our
sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.”
Watch:
Trump didn’t take that sitting down and posted to Truth Social Sunday afternoon. His message was simple: “We’ll see about that!”
Later he posted an even more pointed message:
More from AmFest: Rob Schneider Helps Out Clueless Dems Who Still Can't Figure Out Why They Lost to Trump
Trump Delivers Triumphant Rally-Style Speech at AmFest, Says Dems 'Don't Know What the Hell Happened'
As RedState’s Brittany Sheehan reported, Trump said that Jimmy Carter’s selling the U.S.-made canal to Panama was “foolish” and that he considers it a vital interest to our country.
The
Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United
States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National
Security. A secure Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. Commerce, and rapid
deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and
drastically cuts shipping times to U.S. ports…
When President
Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in
Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.
It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its
Navy, and corporations, doing business within our Country, exorbitant
prices and rates of passage. Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a
very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are
ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has
been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete 'rip-off' of our
Country will immediately stop.
Trump’s talk of getting the Panama Canal could be a negotiating
tactic, or he could mean it quite literally (I lean toward the former).
The president-elect has also floated the idea of sending illegal immigrants whose countries won’t take them back to countries like Panama, the Bahamas, and Grenada.
Once
he's in office, he will have many tools at his disposal to pressure
Mulino. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
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