Donald Trump has entered his second term as president by increasing pressure on Panama.
He has threatened to “take back” the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of giving control of this vital waterway to China, a rival of the United States.
“Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump claimed in his inaugural speech last month.
Despite these claims, there is no evidence that China controls the canal.
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It is operated by an independent authority appointed by Panama’s government, and China has consistently denied any involvement in its operations.
The U.S. concern comes as Trump’s administration works to enhance national security, particularly in its vicinity, and to compete economically with China.
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Trump is primarily worried about a Hong Kong company that controls two major ports at each end of a 50-mile canal.
Additionally, he worries about China’s growing power in a region where the U. S. has dominated historically.
Panama President, José Raúl Mulino has said that the country’s sovereignty over the canal is not up for debate even though Panama has made other concessions to US pressure.
