Trump Considers Taking Back Control of the Panama Canal Over 'Unfair' Charges

President-elect Donald Trump has voiced a potential bid to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, expressing his discontent with what he deems to be unjust fees imposed on American vessels passing through the waterway.

Panama enforces charges on ships navigating the historic canal, with tariffs determined by the ship's size and function.

In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized these costs as unreasonable, especially given the significant support Panama has received from the United States, labeling it as a 'total rip-off' that needs to cease immediately.

Originally under U.S. administration, control of the canal was handed over to the Panama Canal Authority in 1999, as per the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.

Trump further commented, stating that if Panama fails to adhere to the fundamental ethical and legal tenets of this generous act, the full and indisputable return of the canal should be demanded, urging Panamanian officials to heed his warning.

Spanning approximately 80 kilometers (roughly 50 miles), the canal was inaugurated in 1914 and serves as a crucial connector between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The Panama Canal Authority's statistics reveal that annually, between 13,000 and 14,000 ships navigate this critical passage, linking 1,920 ports in 170 nations worldwide, with the U.S. being the most frequent user.

In 2023, due to a bottleneck, ships faced additional expenses. For example, Japan's Eneos Group spent $3.98 million in a bidding process to advance their position amid congestion caused by a drought, illustrating the significant financial impact on shipping companies.