Summary

Donald Trump criticized Panama Canal fees as “ridiculous” and demanded lower costs or the canal’s return to the US.

In a Truth Social post, Trump also expressed concern about potential Chinese influence over the waterway, despite no direct Chinese control of canal operations.

The canal, transferred to Panama in 1999, is vital for global trade, handling 5% of maritime traffic.

Trump’s comments follow record revenues of $5 billion announced by the Panama Canal Authority. Panama has not yet responded to his statements.

  • wjrii@lemmy.world
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    5 days ago

    So I guess the drought finally eased, and the reservoir that supplies the fresh water for the locks is doing better, but yeah, even with a new dam that should finally get started soon, the canal probably has 50 years or less as a viable commercial route, though honestly 150+ years isn’t a bad run as an economic project, and one of Jimmy Carter’s most humane legacies was overseeing its transfer back to the people who were dominated into letting Americans build it in the first place.