Trump revisits canal dispute in inauguration speech
In his inauguration speech, U.S. President Trump vowed to “take back” the Panama Canal, once again triggering controversy in U.S.-Panama relations. Trump has accused Panama of violating a 1999 treaty that completed the handover of the canal and accused China of mismanagement and undue influence, claims Panama vehemently denies.
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“We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we’re going to take it back,” Trump declared, without specifying a timeline or method for the proposed takeover.
Panama firmly refutes
Panamanian President José Raul Mulino responded on X (formerly Twitter) that the canal was being managed responsibly to facilitate global trade, including for U.S. interests. “The Panama Canal is and will remain Panama’s canal,” Mulino asserted, stressing the country’s sovereignty.
Controversial Destiny Revival
Trump’s speech also evoked the 19th-century concept of “Manifest Destiny” and hinted at U.S. territorial expansion ambitions. He reiterated previous statements about acquiring Greenland and even turning Canada into a U.S. state, while promising to open up new frontiers in space exploration, including planting an American flag on Mars.
Critics, including former U.S. ambassador Michael McFaul, condemned Trump’s comments as imperialistic and warned they could fuel the territorial ambitions of global powers such as Russia and China.
economic and geopolitical implications
The Panama Canal is vital to global trade, connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and serving as a key route for the United States to import and export commodities such as liquefied natural gas from Asia. Trump criticized Panamanian management, claiming U.S. ships were being unfairly treated and overcharged.
Panama insists on fair treatment of all ships and denies any Chinese control over canal operations. However, a unit of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings manages the port near the canal entrance, fueling Trump’s accusations of Chinese influence.
A bold agenda or a negotiating tactic?
Analysts questioned whether Trump’s comments reflected real policy goals or strategic posture. During his first term, Trump often made provocative remarks that he failed to deliver, leading some to speculate that his comments were aimed at leveraging concessions.
Changing global landscape
Trump’s bold rhetoric and resurgent “Manifest Destiny” narrative mark a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy under his leadership. Whether this marks the dawn of a new era of American expansionism or remains a symbolic gesture, it will shape geopolitical relations and global trade for years to come.
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