Trump threatens to try and regain control of Panama Canal

President-elect Donald Trump has asked Panama to cut costs on the Panama Canal or return it to US control, accusing the central American country of paying “too high prices” to American ships and submarines.

“The tariffs imposed by Panama are ridiculous, unfair,” he told a group of supporters in Arizona on Sunday.

“The disruption to our country will end immediately,” he said, referring to when he will take office next month.

His comments quickly drew criticism from Panama’s president, who said every “square meter” of the canal and surrounding areas belonged to his country.

President José Raúl Mulino added that Panama’s sovereignty and independence are impossible.

Trump made the comments to supporters of Turning Point USA, an activist group that provided major support for his 2024 election campaign.

It was a rare example of a US leader saying he could push a country to give in – though he did not explain how – and a sign of how American foreign policy and diplomacy could change after he enters the White House. its inauguration on January 20.

Trump’s comments followed earlier in the day when he said the Panama Canal was a “very important asset” for the US.

If shipping rates are not lowered, Trump said on Sunday, “we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, fully, quickly and without question”.

The 51-mile (82 km) Panama Canal runs through the heart of the Americas and is the main link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

It was built in the early 1900s and the US remained in control of the canal until 1977, when the treaties returned the land to Panama. After a period of joint rule, Panama became independent in 1999.

Up to 14,000 ships cross the canal annually, including ships carrying vehicles, natural gas and other cargo, and warships.

Also in Panama, the president-elect also targeted Canada and Mexico for what he called unfair trade practices. He accused them of allowing drugs and immigration to the US, even calling Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum “a wonderful woman”.

Trump made the remarks in front of thousands of people at the annual Turning Point conference, one of the nation’s largest gatherings of civil rights activists.

Turning Point spent a fortune trying to get out the vote in swing states aimed at boosting Trump and other Republicans during the election.

It was his first speech since a deal passed through Congress this week to keep the US government open, after several provisions were removed including one that would have increased the country’s debt.

Trump helped raise the debt ceiling, which limits how much money the US government can borrow.

But his speech on Sunday avoided that issue altogether, instead recounting his election victory and hitting the headlines – including immigration, crime and foreign trade – that were central to his campaign.

However, he mentioned Elon Musk.

“You know, they’re on a whole new game,” he said. “All different lies. The latest is that President Trump gave the presidency to Elon Musk.”

“No, no, it’s not happening,” he said. “He’s not going to be president.”

Several speakers at the conference criticized government spending and politics in both parties – yet the divisions within the Republican Party that have played out in Congress in recent days have not been mentioned.