US President Donald Trump has once again taken aim at the Panama Canal, saying America made a massive error in ever handing control of the strategic waterway to Panama. He alleged that after gaining control, Panama repeatedly hiked the transit fees charged to ships passing through, and claimed China is now working to expand its influence over this crucial waterway.
Sharp remarks at the Medora event
Trump made the comments while addressing a crowd at the opening ceremony of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. He told attendees that giving up control of the Panama Canal ranked among America's biggest mistakes. According to Trump, Panama first raised the transit fees charged to ships by four times, and then hiked them again. Despite the repeated fee increases, he noted, there was no drop in the number of ships passing through the canal. Trump said this allowed Panama to rake in massive earnings for years.
Accusation that China is trying to seize the canal
Trump also issued a sharp warning about China during his speech, saying Beijing is now attempting to seize control of the Panama Canal, but that the United States will not allow this to happen. The remark underscores growing American concern over the waterway, particularly as China's presence in the region continues to expand.
From the 1977 treaty to full control in 1999
The Panama Canal's history traces back to 1977, when the United States and Panama signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, under which Washington agreed to hand over control of the canal to Panama in a phased manner. Under that same agreement, full control of the Panama Canal passed entirely into Panama's hands in 1999.
Trump also raised the birthright citizenship issue
During his speech, Trump also commented on the Supreme Court regarding the issue of birthright citizenship in the United States. He claimed the provision was originally created after the Civil War to protect the children of freed slaves, not to automatically grant American citizenship to the children of people from other countries.
Recently welcomed a Supreme Court ruling
Notably, Trump had recently welcomed a court ruling that expanded the US president's authority to remove the heads of executive branch agencies. He had described it as a historic decision that restored the powers of the presidency, saying it gave the president necessary authority at a time when it is needed most.
