US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of the decision to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama, saying the United States would not allow China to take control of the strategic waterway.
Speaking at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, Trump argued that Washington should never have handed over the canal under the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
Trump criticises canal transfer
Trump said Panama sharply increased transit fees after assuming control of the canal while continuing to attract global shipping traffic.
He questioned the decision to transfer ownership, saying Panama had generated substantial revenue from the waterway after taking over its operations.
The Panama Canal is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and serving as a key corridor for international shipping.
Raises concerns over China’s influence
Trump also claimed China was attempting to expand its influence over the Panama Canal, although he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
He said the United States would not allow such a development, reiterating Washington’s opposition to any move that could strengthen Beijing’s presence around the strategic waterway.
His remarks reflect broader concerns expressed by some within the US political establishment over China’s growing commercial and infrastructure investments across Latin America.
Canal remains a strategic issue
The Panama Canal has remained a sensitive geopolitical issue since the United States agreed to transfer control under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in 1977.
Panama assumed full control of the canal on Dec 31, 1999.
In recent years, the United States has increasingly voiced concerns over China’s expanding economic presence in Latin America, particularly involving strategic infrastructure projects.
Trump’s latest remarks underscore the continuing significance of the Panama Canal in the broader strategic rivalry between the United States and China.
