President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday declined to commit to not using the U.S. military to take control of the Panama Canal, following his recent remarks about American expansion and the canal’s strategic importance.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump was asked about his stance on the canal and Greenland, both of which he has identified as areas of interest for U.S. territorial and economic expansion. When pressed by New York Times reporter David Sanger on whether he could assure the international community that military or economic coercion would not be used, Trump responded, “No. I’m not going to commit to that. It might be that you have to do something.”
Trump justified his position by highlighting the canal’s significance to U.S. interests. “The Panama Canal is vital to our country,” he stated. “It’s being operated by China, China. And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, not to China.” He also described the canal as essential for U.S. economic and military security, asserting that it was initially built for U.S. military use.
No Assurances on Greenland or Panama
Trump admitted he could not rule out the use of military force concerning Greenland or Panama. “I can’t assure you on either of those two,” he said. However, he emphasized that he has not yet developed concrete plans, noting that his administration has not taken office.
When questioned about Canada, Trump ruled out military action but suggested he would use “economic force” if necessary, adding that the U.S. should not continue to protect its northern neighbor. “We don’t need anything they have,” he said.
Criticism of Jimmy Carter’s Panama Canal Deal
Trump used the opportunity to criticize former President Jimmy Carter, who brokered the Panama Canal Treaty in 1977, transferring control of the canal to Panama by the end of 1999. “Giving the Panama Canal is why Jimmy Carter lost the election, in my opinion,” Trump said, linking the treaty to Carter’s defeat.
Describing the canal’s handover as “a big mistake,” Trump argued that the deal undermined U.S. interests. “We gave it away for $1, but the deal was they have to treat us fairly,” he claimed, asserting that the U.S. faces unfair treatment and excessive charges for using the canal.
Trump also reflected on Carter’s legacy, calling him “a good man” but reiterating his belief that the canal’s transfer was a misstep. Carter, who passed away on December 29, is set to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol starting Tuesday.
Accusations Against China
The president-elect accused China of exploiting its growing influence in Panama, highlighting its investments and control over key ports. “China is running the canal,” he said, describing the situation as “a disgrace.” Trump argued that the U.S. must prioritize protecting its strategic interests and suggested that his administration would pursue policies to address perceived disadvantages in the current arrangement.
Source: The Hill
