Saturday May 10, 2025
HE
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News World News United States

'We'll see about that!': Trump escalates Panama Canal threat

Trump suggested that if certain conditions weren't met, the US would demand the return of the canal, which has been under Panamanian control since 1999. "If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question."

by  Erez Linn
Published on  12-23-2024 06:13
Last modified: 12-23-2024 10:56
'We'll see about that!': Trump escalates Panama Canal threatAFP / Martin Bernetti

Aerial view of a stranded ship in Limon Bay, near the Panama Canal exit to the Caribbean Sea in Colon, Panama, on November 7, 2024 | Photo: AFP / Martin Bernetti

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A diplomatic dispute erupted after Donald Trump threatened to reassert American control over the Panama Canal, Yahoo reported Sunday, with the former president accusing Panama of overcharging for use of the vital maritime passage.

Speaking to supporters at AmericaFest in Arizona, Trump questioned the current management of the waterway. "Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal?" Trump asked the crowd. "Because we're being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we're being ripped off everywhere else."

The strategic waterway, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, enables vessels to avoid lengthy voyages around South America's southern tip by providing a route through the Americas. As Yahoo noted, the canal facilitates passage for approximately 14,000 ships annually and represents about 2.5% of global seaborne trade.

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino (L) speaking during a press conference at the Las Garzas government palace in Panama City, on October 3, 2024 and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort on December 16, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida Andrew Harnik / various sources / AFP

Trump suggested that if certain conditions weren't met, the US would demand the return of the canal, which has been under Panamanian control since 1999. "It was given to Panama and the people of Panama, but it has provisions," Trump said. "If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question."

The comments drew immediate pushback from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, who issued a strong defense of his country's sovereignty. "Every square metre of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama)," Mulino stated on social media, also rejecting suggestions of Chinese influence over the canal's operations.

According to Yahoo, while China does not control the canal, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings manages two ports at the waterway's Caribbean and Pacific entrances.

Trump responded to Mulino's statement with a terse "We'll see about that!"

The controversy follows Trump's recent half-joking suggestions about incorporating Canada into the United States, as well as his past expressions of interest in purchasing Greenland during his first term in office.

Tags: CanadaDonald TrumpPanamaUS

Related Posts

No normalization: Bin Salman accelerates nuclear projectAFP, AP, Reuters, Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Israel believes Trump lacks Senate support for Saudi nuclear deal without Israeli involvement

by Shirit Avitan Cohen

An Israeli official claims that President Donald Trump does not have the necessary support in the Senate to advance a...

Trump's Iran negotiationsSaul Loeb/AFP

Trump sidelines Netanyahu in Middle East policy as relations deteriorate

by Ariel Kahana

Sources report the president is frustrated over the Israeli prime minister's alleged push for Iran military action.

Occupied library, 2 officers injured: Dozens arrested at anti-Israel Columbia protestRyan Murphy/Reuters

Occupied library, 2 officers injured: Dozens arrested at anti-Israel Columbia protest

by Adi Nirman

More than 80 students were detained following the Wednesday afternoon incident when over 100 protesters pushed past campus security, storming...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Gaza War
    • US Election Coverage
    • Middle East
    • Cyber & Internet
    • Business & Finance
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il