‘Spirit of our treaty has been totally violated’: US President Donald Trump vows to retake Panama canal

In his inaugural address on Monday, January 20, US President Donald Trump pledged to take back control of the Panama Canal. “American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy, and above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” he said.

However, he didn’t provide any additional details about the strategy or timeline for this move.

“The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated,” Trump declared during the address, referencing the 1977 Panama Canal Treaties, which transferred the canal’s control to Panama in 1999.
Remembering former US President William McKinley, Trump said that he made the country rich through tariffs and talent. “He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which was foolishly been given to the country of Panama.” Calling it a “foolish gift that should have never been made,” Trump highlighted that a large amount of money was spent and 38,000 lives were lost in the building of the Panama Canal.

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