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During his inaugural address, Trump proclaimed that giving the Panama Canal back to Panama was a foolish decision, citing what he called broken promises from Panama and alleging that American vessels are being overcharged for transit. He insinuated that the canal is now under Chinese control—a notion that has been rebuffed by both the Panamanian government and various experts.
At a press conference just before his presidency begun, Trump intensified the rhetoric by not ruling out the use of military force against Panama, escalating concerns about potential U.S. intervention. This threat was not just a rhetorical flourish; it seemed rooted in a historical context that highlights long-standing tensions regarding U.S. involvement in the region.