Trump demands Panama lower Canal fees or return it to US – DW – 12/22/2024
www.dw.com
In a post on social media, the incoming US President Donald Trump described fees charged to use the key shipping lane as a "complete 'rip-off.'" He also warned of it falling into the "wrong hands."

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.

  • LordCrom@lemmy.worldEnglish
    182·
    5 days ago

    In the late 1700s it took months to get election results. Things that seemed normal hundreds of years ago…such as allowing bearing of arms in the form of a musket that maybe shot 1 bullet every 3 minutes… Today they are crazy…same rule applies to a machine gun that can spray hundreds of bullets in same time frame. The founding fathers had no idea what was to come.

    • MutilationWave@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      4 days ago

      They also saw the constitution as a living document that should change with the times. The bill of rights was already in the pipeline when it was signed. There have been barely any changes since due to the impossibility of getting 3/4 of states to agree on if water is wet, let alone something important.

    • Sir_Kevin@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      42·
      4 days ago

      such as allowing bearing of arms in the form of a musket that maybe shot 1 bullet every 3 minutes… Today they are crazy…same rule applies to a machine gun that can spray hundreds of bullets in same time frame.

      I get where you’re coming from but in regards to the above, this isn’t remotely true.

      Old powder fired guns made before a certain date (I think it’s like 1850?) can be owned by anyone, even felons.

      Modern firearms require a background check and other requirements to be purchased from a legit store.

      Short barrel rifles and suppressors require additional ATF checks, forms and taxes.

      Machineguns have even more regulations on top of all that.

      In addition, the seller is required to abide by additional rules, regulations, inspections, etc.

      Source: https://regulations.atf.gov/