December 22nd 2024.
In a recent rally, President-elect Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of regaining control of the Panama Canal, which was handed over to Panama by the United States in 1999. He argued that the fees charged to ships passing through the canal were exorbitant, and that the U.S. had made a mistake in giving it away. However, this suggestion was met with strong opposition from Panama's conservative president, Jose Raul Mulino, who sees it as a direct attack on his country's sovereignty.
Addressing a crowd of enthusiastic conservatives at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Arizona, Trump boasted about his upcoming administration's plans to boost the economy, secure borders, and resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. He declared that the "Golden Age of America" was upon us and spoke of a newfound sense of spirit and unity among the American people.
This rally was a show of solidarity for the Republican party, despite some recent turmoil within Congress over a budget deal. Trump's stance on the budget was met with opposition from both sides, as some Republicans defied his demands, while others, like billionaire ally Elon Musk, expressed their disapproval on social media. In the end, a deal was reached without addressing the issue of raising the debt ceiling, which was a major concern for Trump.
During his speech, Trump did not mention the budget fight, but he did make a reference to Musk's growing influence. When asked about rumors that he was "ceding the presidency to Elon," Trump quickly shut it down, stating firmly that it was not happening. He also assured the crowd that Musk would not be president.
Trump began his speech by expressing his desire to bring everyone together, stating that he would make an effort to reach out to Democrats who were "lost and befuddled" after the election. However, he soon launched into a list of grievances, one of which was the Panama Canal.
"We're being ripped off at the Panama Canal," Trump exclaimed, lamenting the fact that the U.S. had "foolishly given it away." The Panama Canal was initially built by the U.S. in the early 1900s as a means to facilitate trade and military operations between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. However, in 1999, control of the canal was handed over to Panama under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
The canal has faced challenges in recent years due to droughts in Central America, which caused a decrease in the number of ships passing through and subsequently led to an increase in fees. However, with the weather returning to normal, transit through the canal has normalized, but prices are still expected to rise next year.
President Mulino, who is described as a conservative populist, has been a strong ally of the U.S. and the canal is a vital source of revenue for Panama. Despite this, Trump made a bold statement, declaring that if his second term was underway and the U.S. felt that Panama was not following the "moral and legal principles" of the treaty, they would demand that the canal be returned to the U.S. He warned Panama's officials to "be guided accordingly" and not take advantage of the U.S.
Shortly after Trump's speech, Mulino released a video in response, stating that every inch of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to do so. He emphasized that the fees charged were set by experts and were necessary to cover operational costs and fund improvements to the canal. He also reminded everyone that the Panama Canal is a source of pride and unity for all Panamanians, regardless of their political views.
In a show of defiance, Trump took to social media to respond to Mulino's video, posting a picture of a U.S. flag planted in the canal zone with the caption "Welcome to the United States Canal!" This exchange highlighted the tension between the two countries over the issue of the canal.
Aside from the Panama Canal, Trump's appearance at Turning Point's annual gathering also served as a platform for him to announce several new members of his incoming administration. These included Stephen Miran, who will lead the Council of Economic Advisers, and Callista Gingrich, who will be the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland. Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt also announced a donation of $1.1 million to Trump's inauguration fund, making him one of the president-elect's top donors.
In conclusion, Trump's rally in Arizona was a display of party unity and a reaffirmation of his promises to the American people. However, his comments about the Panama Canal sparked controversy and were met with strong opposition from Panama's president. As we await the inauguration of the new administration, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved.
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