President-elect Donald Trump has criticized what he described as “unfair” fees for US ships passing through the Panama Canal, suggesting that control of the vital waterway could be returned to the United States if Panama fails to ensure its proper management.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed frustration over the fees, calling them “ridiculous” and a “complete ‘rip-off’ of our country.” He also raised concerns about China’s growing influence around the canal, a development that he warned could negatively affect American interests, particularly US businesses reliant on the passage for trade between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
“Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way,” Trump wrote. “This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.”
The Panama Canal, which was completed by the United States in 1914, was handed over to Panama in 1999 following a 1977 agreement signed by then-President Jimmy Carter. Under this deal, Panama assumed full control of the canal.
Trump’s comments come as concerns grow over Panama’s ability to maintain the canal’s security and efficiency. He further threatened that if Panama could not ensure “the secure, efficient and reliable operation” of the waterway, the US would demand its return, “in full, and without question.”
While Panama’s authorities did not immediately respond to Trump’s statement, the comments underscore his ongoing focus on US business interests, even before taking office. Trump, a former real estate mogul, has long claimed that his business background uniquely positions him to advocate for American economic concerns.
The Panama Canal is a critical global shipping route, with an estimated five percent of global maritime traffic passing through it. The canal allows ships traveling between Asia and the US East Coast to bypass the longer and more dangerous route around the southern tip of South America. The main users of the passage include the US, China, Japan, and South Korea.
The Panama Canal Authority recently reported record revenues of nearly $5 billion for the last fiscal year, highlighting the waterway’s continued economic significance. Trump’s comments suggest that the fees charged for passage are a point of contention, especially as the US remains a major user of the canal.