(CLO) US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday night accused Panama of charging too high fees to use the Panama Canal and expressed concern about China's influence on this important international waterway.
Mr Trump also declared that if Panama did not manage the canal in an "acceptable" way, he could ask the country to hand the canal back to the US.
Panama Canal. Photo: Michael D. Camphin/pexels
In a post on the social network Truth Social, Mr. Trump warned that he would not let the canal fall into the hands of “the wrong people,” alluding to the possibility of Chinese influence. He asserted that the Panama Canal should not be managed by China, which raised concerns about a change in diplomatic relations between the United States and its allies under Mr. Trump.
The Panama Canal, one of the world's most important shipping routes, was built and managed by the United States for decades. In 1999, the United States transferred full control of the canal to Panama after a long period of co-management.
However, in his post, Mr. Trump emphasized: "The fees Panama is charging are absurd, especially considering the extraordinary generosity the United States has shown Panama. The Canal was not built to serve the interests of other countries, but as a symbol of our partnership with Panama. If the moral and legal principles behind this act of generosity are not respected, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States, in full and without compromise."
Trump’s speech was shocking because it is rare for a US leader to publicly demand that a sovereign nation hand over territory. It also reflects Trump’s aggressive diplomatic style, not afraid to put pressure on allies, similar to the way he handled many international issues during his previous presidency.
The Panamanian Embassy in Washington has not yet responded to Mr. Trump's statement.
In the post, Mr. Trump also mentioned the threat from China, emphasizing that the United States would not accept any Chinese interference in the management of the canal. This can be understood as part of Mr. Trump's larger strategy to deal with Beijing's growing influence globally.
Cao Phong (according to Reuters, BBC, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-trump-muon-doi-lai-kenh-dao-panama-do-lo-ngai-trung-quoc-post326884.html
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