In 1904, after the French army had lost 20,000 lives, the United States secured the right to build and operate the Panama Canal and control five miles of land on both sides of the canal.
We're screwed Similar efforts. For the next decade, tens of thousands of American men labored in malarial heat. drilling Approximately 240 million cubic yards of rock and soil were laid and 3.4 million cubic meters of concrete was installed. At a cost of $375 million and the lives of thousands of people, the United States completed a 51-mile historic engineering marvel.
Democratic President Jimmy Carter signed away control of the canal in 1977. On the day of Carter's funeral, Republican lawmakers introduced a bill that would allow the U.S. to retake the canal, raising the possibility that President-elect Donald Trump could take it back.
said In December, it was declared a “vital national asset of the United States.”
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Panama Canal Buyback Act The bill was introduced Thursday by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R.S.D.) and co-sponsored by Reps. Troy Neals (Texas), Mike Lawler (New York), and Barry Loudermilk (Georgia). It is expected to be approved by President-elect Donald Trump, with the co-sponsorship of a number of Republicans, including President Donald Trump. President Trump will begin negotiations to reacquire the Panama Canal from the Republic of Panama.
“Giving the Panama Canal to Panama was a very big mistake.”
“President Trump is right to consider buying back the Panama Canal,” said Representative Dusty Johnson, a member of the House Select Committee on China.
said In a statement. “China's interest in the canal and its presence around it is cause for concern. The United States must project power abroad. Owning and operating the Panama Canal will lead to a stronger America and a safer planet. This could be an important step.”
South Dakota lawmakers noted in a release that without the canal, ocean shippers would have to travel an additional 8,000 miles through South America. He also highlighted the potential return on investment, noting that tolls for the more than 10,000 ships that pass through the locks each year could generate billions of dollars, which could benefit the United States. He pointed out that there is.
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I felt stressed “The Panama Canal is extremely important to our country and is operated by China,” he said at a press conference Tuesday. China. and gave Panama the Panama Canal. We didn't give it to China, and they exploited it. They misused that gift. By the way, it should never have been made. In my opinion, giving away the Panama Canal is why Jimmy Carter lost the election. ”
“Look, he was a good guy. I knew him a little bit and he was a great guy, but that was a big mistake,” Trump continued. “Giving the Panama Canal to Panama was a huge mistake. We lost 38,000 people. The cost is $1 trillion worth, maybe more.”
President Trump similarly wrote in a Truth Social post last month that the canal and its independence from communist Chinese interference are “critical to U.S. commerce and the rapid deployment of our Navy from the Atlantic to the Pacific; “It will significantly shorten the transportation time to the port.” . ”
“Welcome to the American Canal!”
“Our Navy and our Department of Commerce are being treated very unfairly and unfairly,” Trump said. “The fees that Panama is charging are ridiculous, especially given the extraordinary generosity that the United States has given Panama.” .
According to Under the Panama Canal Treaty and the Treaty of Neutrality, signed by Carter and then-Panamanian government secretary Omar Torrijos in 1977, the canal is “permanently neutral” and “secure and safe and protected by the Panamanian government in times of peace and war.” shall be open to traffic.” To join the ships of all nations in terms of complete equality. ”
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Expanding influence of China In Panama, a country roughly the size of South Carolina, many question the canal's continued neutrality.
Congressional Research Service Report, updated December 17, 2024;
noticed Some U.S. military leaders are concerned that Chinese government-linked companies along the canal “could pose a security vulnerability to the United States,” but Panama has been linked to China's imperialist One Belt, One Road initiative. Concerns are further heightened by support for the initiative.
Representative Dusty Johnson said in a statement that while “its commercial importance cannot be overstated,” the canal is also “an important transit point for Coast Guard and Department of Defense vessels.” emphasized.
Panamanian President Jose Raúl Mulino said he was uncomfortable with President Trump's previous comments.
said “Every square meter of the Panama Canal belongs to Panama and always will belong to Panama. Our sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable,” he said in a December video.
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answered Mulino said, “We'll look into that.'' shared an image It features an American flag fluttering above the canal and the caption, “Welcome to the American Canal!”
Axios
shown Some Democrats may support the U.S. taking back the canal.
For example, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) dismissed the possibility of military force, but said, “The United States reasserting its history in the Panama Canal is actually a good and important strategic move.'' It's a problem,” he said.
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