President Donald Trump recently made a bold statement regarding the Panama Canal, saying the U.S. will reclaim control or else “something very powerful will happen.” Trump expressed concerns over China’s growing influence over the canal, claiming that the situation undermines U.S. interests.
While stepping off Air Force One at Joint Andrews Airbase, Trump emphasized the importance of the canal, referring to it as a critical issue. He explained that the contract surrounding the canal, which was originally handed over to Panama and not China, has been violated. Trump hinted that the U.S. may take action to annul the agreement if necessary.
In the same conversation, Trump referred to a busy week and mentioned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had recently visited Panama. Rubio had warned that the U.S. would take serious measures if China’s control over the canal was not addressed. Trump also made it clear that both economic and military options are on the table to ensure the canal’s operation aligns with U.S. interests.
This statement has sparked a fresh wave of discussion on the future of the Panama Canal and the U.S.’s role in its control.