Trump is all business.
President-elect Donald Trump recently criticized the Panama Canal toll system, arguing that the United States is being unfairly charged exorbitant fees to navigate this vital waterway. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his frustration with the tolls imposed on U.S. vessels, which can range from tens of thousands to as much as $500,000 depending on the size and cargo of the ship. The incoming president emphasized that the Panama Canal is a crucial asset for American commerce and national security, playing a key role in the swift movement of U.S. goods and military assets between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Trump’s comments centered on the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, signed by President Jimmy Carter, which led to the U.S. giving up control of the canal and transferring authority to Panama by 1999. The treaty included provisions that ensure tolls are applied equally to all nations. However, Trump contended that the U.S. should be given preferential treatment, considering the strategic importance of the canal and the significant investments the U.S. made in its construction.
“The Panama Canal is a critical piece of infrastructure for American trade and defense,” Trump wrote. “The fees being charged to American ships are outrageous and unjust, especially when we remember the enormous sacrifices the United States made in building the canal.”
Trump went on to call out the “foolishness” of the Carter administration for relinquishing control of such a vital asset, which he argued had benefitted Panama but harmed American interests. He even suggested that if Panama does not provide fair treatment to U.S. vessels, the U.S. should demand the canal be returned to American ownership.
The canal, which was completed by the U.S. in the early 20th century at great expense, remains a critical route for global shipping, but Trump’s stance underscores a broader frustration with the lack of leverage the U.S. has in controlling such vital international infrastructure. “If the principles of fairness and respect are not upheld, we must take action to ensure American interests are protected,” Trump concluded.