Russia’s problems with the U.S. is growing and now Trump is behind the wheel.
In a bold move, former President Donald Trump recently declared his intention to take control of the Panama Canal, a strategic waterway crucial for global trade. His comments, made during his second inaugural address, have sparked a response from Russia, which has warned the United States against any such action.
Russian Foreign Ministry official Alexander Shchetinin responded to Trump’s remarks, urging both the U.S. and Panama to respect the long-established international legal framework that guarantees the neutrality of the Panama Canal. Since the U.S. relinquished control of the canal to Panama in 1999, the waterway has been governed by a treaty that ensures it remains neutral and open for global shipping. Shchetinin emphasized that Russia has been committed to this neutrality since 1988 and intends to uphold the agreement, which prohibits any nation from exerting undue control over the canal.
Trump’s comments about retaking the Panama Canal reflect his broader foreign policy philosophy of challenging unfair global trade practices. He has argued that American ships, including the U.S. Navy, are overcharged and not treated fairly in the region. He also voiced concerns over China’s influence in the area, pointing out that a Chinese company, Hutchison Ports, controls ports at both ends of the canal. Although Hutchison Ports is not directly controlled by the Chinese government, it operates under the shadow of Beijing’s national security laws, raising national security concerns for the United States.
In response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected Trump’s proposal, reaffirming Panama’s control over the canal and asserting that no foreign nation, including China, has any influence over its operations. Mulino also emphasized that Panama would continue to uphold the canal’s permanent neutrality, a position supported by international agreements.
This issue reflects ongoing tensions over global trade routes and the need for the U.S. to assert its interests on the world stage. While Trump’s rhetoric may seem provocative, it highlights an important debate about the balance of power in critical global infrastructure and how the U.S. can best secure its economic and strategic interests moving forward.