President Donald Trump said the United States should never have handed control of the Panama Canal to Panama, accusing the country of sharply increasing transit fees after the transfer and warning that Washington would not allow China to gain influence over the strategic waterway.&nbsp;Speaking at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora on Wednesday (local time), Trump criticised the decision to transfer the canal and said the United States would resist any Chinese attempt to control it.&nbsp;"The Panama Canal, so we gave it away. The first thing they did, you know what they did? They raised the prices for the ships by four times, and they didn't lose one ship. And then they raised it again twice, and they didn't lose one ship. All they did was make tremendous amounts of money for years and years. How stupid was that?" Trump said.&nbsp;"And now China's trying to take over the Panama Canal, and we're not going to let that happen, okay? And that was not part of the script because I don't really have a script because this thing doesn't work," he added.&nbsp;Trump's remarks referred to the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, under which the United States agreed to transfer control of the Panama Canal. The handover was completed in 1999 after the United States, which built the canal in 1914, transferred full control of the strategic waterway to Panama.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forever-capital-of-the-jewish-people-us-signs-agreement-to-build-permanent-embassy-in-jerusalem-1782951822215">'Forever capital of the Jewish people': US signs agreement to build permanent embassy in Jerusalem</a><h2>Why is the Panama Canal important?</h2>The Panama Canal is one of the world's busiest and most strategically important shipping routes. Around 5 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the canal each year, carrying roughly $270 billion worth of cargo. It also handles about 40 per cent of US container traffic.&nbsp;Stretching about 82 kilometres, or 51 miles, across Panama, the canal links the Caribbean Sea on the Atlantic side with the Pacific Ocean. It runs from Colón through Gatun Lake and the Gaillard Cut before reaching Panama City.&nbsp;Before the canal was built, ships travelling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans had to sail around South America through the Strait of Magellan or Cape Horn, adding thousands of miles to the journey. The canal dramatically cuts travel time, reducing the distance between New York and San Francisco by about 8,000 miles.

The Panama Canal carries about 40 per cent of US container traffic and around 5 per cent of global maritime trade each year, transporting roughly $270 billion worth of cargo.

President Donald Trump said the United States should never have handed control of the Panama Canal to Panama, accusing the country of sharply increasing transit fees after the transfer and warning that Washington would not allow China to gain influence over the strategic waterway. Speaking at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora on Wednesday (local time), Trump criticised the decision to transfer the canal and said the United States would resist any Chinese attempt to control it. "The Panama Canal, so we gave it away. The first thing they did, you know what they did? They raised the prices for the ships by four times, and they didn't lose one ship. And then they raised it again twice, and they didn't lose one ship. All they did was make tremendous amounts of money for years and years. How stupid was that?" Trump said. "And now China's trying to take over the Panama Canal, and we're not going to let that happen, okay? And that was not part of the script because I don't really have a script because this thing doesn't work," he added. Trump's remarks referred to the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, under which the United States agreed to transfer control of the Panama Canal. The handover was completed in 1999 after the United States, which built the canal in 1914, transferred full control of the strategic waterway to Panama. Also Read: 'Forever capital of the Jewish people': US signs agreement to build permanent embassy in Jerusalem Why is the Panama Canal important? The Panama Canal is one of the world's busiest and most strategically important shipping routes. Around 5 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the canal each year, carrying roughly $270 billion worth of cargo. It also handles about 40 per cent of US container traffic. Stretching about 82 kilometres, or 51 miles, across Panama, the canal links the Caribbean Sea on the Atlantic side with the Pacific Ocean. It runs from Colón through Gatun Lake and the Gaillard Cut before reaching Panama City. Before the canal was built, ships travelling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans had to sail around South America through the Strait of Magellan or Cape Horn, adding thousands of miles to the journey. The canal dramatically cuts travel time, reducing the distance between New York and San Francisco by about 8,000 miles.

The Panama Canal carries about 40 per cent of US container traffic and around 5 per cent of global maritime trade each year, transporting roughly $270 billion worth of cargo.

Trump says US won't let China control Panama Canal; why the waterway matters

Marco Rubio will pay his first trip as US secretary of state to Central American nations including Panama, where President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, a spokeswoman said Thursday.
Rubio, who is the first Hispanic and first fluent Spanish speaker to serve as the top US diplomat, has vowed to put a top priority on Trump's goal of curbing migration from Central American nations.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Rubio would travel starting late next week to Panama as well as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
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"It's about making sure that if we're going to be safe and prosperous and in good shape, we've got to have an interest in our neighbors -- and in today's world, it's certainly South and Central America," Bruce said.
"There's a reason why this is the first trip. It signals how seriously he takes it," she said.
Bruce did not describe the details of any expected conversations on the Panama Canal. Trump in his inaugural address Monday vowed that the United States would be "taking it back."
Rubio in his confirmation hearing did not suggest military force but said the United States needed to address serious concerns about Chinese influence near the vital waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Panama, which has long been friendly to the United States, complained to the United Nations over Trump's threat.
President Jose Raul Mulino, during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said that the canal "belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama."
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<h2>Enforcement against migration</h2>
Trump -- who during his campaign said that immigrants were "poisoning the blood of our country" -- has put a top priority on halting undocumented migration into the United States.
The Central American nations of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras -- torn by endemic violence, poverty and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change -- have been among the top sources of migration.
Trump's predecessor Joe Biden vowed to look at the root causes of migration. Trump has quickly put an emphasis on enforcement, suspending a Biden program that gives asylum seekers a chance to make their case in an orderly way and threatening to use the military to help secure the US-Mexico border.
El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, has been a favorite of Trump supporters for his lethal and ruthless crackdown on crime. The president's son Donald Trump Jr. attended Bukele's second inauguration last year.
The Biden administration had a more distant relationship with Bukele, amid concerns over human rights, although it also largely worked with him as it sought to address migration.
Rubio's decision to visit Guatemala likely marks a continuation of US support for President Bernardo Arevalo, a once-obscure anti-corruption advocate who pulled off an upset election victory in 2023.
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The Biden administration hailed Arevalo's victory and quickly moved to work with him as he pushed back against an entrenched elite that sought to stop him from taking office.
Arevalo has enjoyed some bipartisan support in Washington but his opponents have sought an alliance with fringe movements that refused to recognize Biden's 2020 victory over Trump.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, on taking office said he would stop State Department work that seeks to "facilitate or encourage mass migration," vowing to pursue Trump's goal of enforcement.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for&nbsp;WION&nbsp;audience.

World: Panama, which has long been friendly to US, complained to the United Nations over Trump's threat. President Jose Raul Mulino said that the canal "belongs to Panama."

Marco Rubio will pay his first trip as US secretary of state to Central American nations including Panama, where President Donald Trump has threatened to seize the Panama Canal, a spokeswoman said Thursday. Rubio, who is the first Hispanic and first fluent Spanish speaker to serve as the top US diplomat, has vowed to put a top priority on Trump's goal of curbing migration from Central American nations. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Rubio would travel starting late next week to Panama as well as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Also read: Yemen's Houthi rebels call US 'terrorist organisation' label 'bias for Israel', Iran condemns move "It's about making sure that if we're going to be safe and prosperous and in good shape, we've got to have an interest in our neighbors -- and in today's world, it's certainly South and Central America," Bruce said. "There's a reason why this is the first trip. It signals how seriously he takes it," she said. Bruce did not describe the details of any expected conversations on the Panama Canal. Trump in his inaugural address Monday vowed that the United States would be "taking it back." Rubio in his confirmation hearing did not suggest military force but said the United States needed to address serious concerns about Chinese influence near the vital waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Panama, which has long been friendly to the United States, complained to the United Nations over Trump's threat. President Jose Raul Mulino, during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said that the canal "belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama." Also read: 'Blatantly unconstitutional,' Federal judge blocks Trump’s birthright citizenship order Enforcement against migration Trump -- who during his campaign said that immigrants were "poisoning the blood of our country" -- has put a top priority on halting undocumented migration into the United States. The Central American nations of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras -- torn by endemic violence, poverty and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change -- have been among the top sources of migration. Trump's predecessor Joe Biden vowed to look at the root causes of migration. Trump has quickly put an emphasis on enforcement, suspending a Biden program that gives asylum seekers a chance to make their case in an orderly way and threatening to use the military to help secure the US-Mexico border. El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, has been a favorite of Trump supporters for his lethal and ruthless crackdown on crime. The president's son Donald Trump Jr. attended Bukele's second inauguration last year. The Biden administration had a more distant relationship with Bukele, amid concerns over human rights, although it also largely worked with him as it sought to address migration. Rubio's decision to visit Guatemala likely marks a continuation of US support for President Bernardo Arevalo, a once-obscure anti-corruption advocate who pulled off an upset election victory in 2023. Also read: Trump slams ‘unfair’ EU trade policies, vows US will ‘do something about it’ The Biden administration hailed Arevalo's victory and quickly moved to work with him as he pushed back against an entrenched elite that sought to stop him from taking office. Arevalo has enjoyed some bipartisan support in Washington but his opponents have sought an alliance with fringe movements that refused to recognize Biden's 2020 victory over Trump. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, on taking office said he would stop State Department work that seeks to "facilitate or encourage mass migration," vowing to pursue Trump's goal of enforcement. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Marco Rubio to visit Central America amid Trump’s Panama Canal threats and migration crackdown

Washington, United States
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President-elect Donald Trump has called for the Panama Canal to be returned to the United States if Panama fails to manage it in a manner he deems acceptable. He also criticised the Central American country for allegedly imposing excessive charges on vessels using the vital waterway.
“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 US. This complete 'rip-off' of our country will immediately stop,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday (December 21).
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“If the moral and legal principles of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question,” he said.
In a Saturday evening post on Truth Social, Trump expressed concerns about the canal potentially being influenced by China. “It was solely for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!,” he wrote.
Although Trump suggested a potential Chinese role in managing the canal, China does not control or operate it. However, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings does manage two ports near the canal’s entrances on the Caribbean and Pacific sides.
Trump described the Panama Canal as a “vital national asset” for the US, stressing its importance for both commerce and national security. His remarks marked an unusual instance of a US leader suggesting the possibility of pressuring a sovereign nation to relinquish control of its territory.
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Panamanian officials have not yet responded to Trump’s comments.
The United States largely built the canal, which opened in 1914. For decades, the US managed the surrounding territory before transferring full control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after a period of shared administration.
The canal's fees range from $0.50 to $300,000 depending on the vessel's size, making it a critical yet costly route for global trade. The United States remains the canal’s largest user, followed by China and Japan.
Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, 20 January.
(With inputs from agencies)

“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 US. This complete 'rip-off' of our country will immediately stop,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday (December 21).



Washington, United States President-elect Donald Trump has called for the Panama Canal to be returned to the United States if Panama fails to manage it in a manner he deems acceptable. He also criticised the Central American country for allegedly imposing excessive charges on vessels using the vital waterway. “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 US. This complete 'rip-off' of our country will immediately stop,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday (December 21). Also read: China 'firmly opposes' outgoing US President Biden's approval $571.3 mn military aid for Taiwan “If the moral and legal principles of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question,” he said. In a Saturday evening post on Truth Social, Trump expressed concerns about the canal potentially being influenced by China. “It was solely for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!,” he wrote. Although Trump suggested a potential Chinese role in managing the canal, China does not control or operate it. However, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings does manage two ports near the canal’s entrances on the Caribbean and Pacific sides. Trump described the Panama Canal as a “vital national asset” for the US, stressing its importance for both commerce and national security. His remarks marked an unusual instance of a US leader suggesting the possibility of pressuring a sovereign nation to relinquish control of its territory. Also read: Two US Navy pilots shot down in 'friendly fire' incident over Red Sea Panamanian officials have not yet responded to Trump’s comments. The United States largely built the canal, which opened in 1914. For decades, the US managed the surrounding territory before transferring full control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after a period of shared administration. The canal's fees range from $0.50 to $300,000 depending on the vessel's size, making it a critical yet costly route for global trade. The United States remains the canal’s largest user, followed by China and Japan. Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, 20 January. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump accuses Panama of 'ripping off' the US with excessive fees, threatens to take back control

President-elect Donald Trump has called for the Panama Canal to be returned to the United States if Panama fails to manage it in a manner he deems acceptable. He also criticised the Central American country for allegedly imposing excessive charges on vessels using the vital waterway.

President-elect Donald Trump has called for the Panama Canal to be returned to the United States if Panama fails to manage it in a manner he deems acceptable. He also criticised the Central American country for allegedly imposing excessive charges on vessels using the vital waterway. “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 US. This complete 'rip-off' of our country will immediately stop,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday (December 21). Also read: China 'firmly opposes' outgoing US President Biden's approval $571.3 mn military aid for Taiwan “If the moral and legal principles of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question,” he said. In a Saturday evening post on Truth Social, Trump expressed concerns about the canal potentially being influenced by China. “It was solely for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!,” he wrote. Although Trump suggested a potential Chinese role in managing the canal, China does not control or operate it. However, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings does manage two ports near the canal’s entrances on the Caribbean and Pacific sides. Trump described the Panama Canal as a “vital national asset” for the US, stressing its importance for both commerce and national security. His remarks marked an unusual instance of a US leader suggesting the possibility of pressuring a sovereign nation to relinquish control of its territory. Also read: Two US Navy pilots shot down in 'friendly fire' incident over Red Sea Panamanian officials have not yet responded to Trump’s comments. The United States largely built the canal, which opened in 1914. For decades, the US managed the surrounding territory before transferring full control of the canal to Panama in 1999 after a period of shared administration. The canal's fees range from $0.50 to $300,000 depending on the vessel's size, making it a critical yet costly route for global trade. The United States remains the canal’s largest user, followed by China and Japan. Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, 20 January. (With inputs from agencies)