Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local sources: The Israeli force, which crossed into southern rural Damascus, has reached the town of Qatana, located just 10 kilometers from the Syrian capital
Local sources: An Israeli ground unit, comprising more than 15 military and armored vehicles, carried out an incursion into southern rural Damascus from the occupied Syrian Golan
Belgian court orders regional government to stop military exports to Israel, Belga reports
Latin Patriarchate in occupied al-Quds: The Holy Family Church in Gaza was subjected to Israeli shelling, resulting in injuries, including Father Gabriele Romanelli
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in France: Georges Abdallah’s lawyer has officially informed him of the court’s decision granting his release
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was martyred in a raid that targeted the town of Kfour, Nabatieh District
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was martyred in an Israeli drone strike that targeted a truck in the town of Naqoura
Defense Attorney: Lebanese activist George Ibrahim Abdallah will be released on July 25
Georges Abdallah's defense attorney: The decision to release Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah will be issued in a few minutes
The French judiciary decided to release Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah after 41 years of detention

Trump's remarks on Panama Canal spark global controversy: WSJ

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Wall Street Journal
  • 25 Dec 2024 20:47
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Trump's comments have raised questions about what actions he might take, with critics questioning whether he is contemplating drastic measures such as a military intervention.

Listen
  • x
  • FILE - A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama, Sept. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)
    FILE - A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama, September 2, 2024. (AP)

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump has stirred debate with his recent comments about the Panama Canal, suggesting that Panama had been unfairly charging excessive tolls and demanding the canal's return to US control. Speaking to supporters in Phoenix over the weekend, Trump criticized Panama's handling of the canal and implied potential repercussions if his demands were not met.

"Our Navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama—I say, very foolishly, by the United States," Trump stated. He added, "We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question. I'm not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly."

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino quickly responded, rejecting Trump's assertions and vowing to defend Panama's interests. Trump, in turn, responded on Truth Social with a brief retort: "We'll see about that."

Trump's comments have raised questions about the actions he might take, with critics questioning whether he is contemplating drastic measures such as military intervention.

Related News

EU delays Elon Musk's X probe during US trade talks

Trump says 'would love' to see Fed Chair Powell resign

Read more: Panamanians united in rejecting Trump’s threat over Canal control

Despite the accusations, the Panama Canal Authority (PCA), which oversees the canal's operations, maintains a fair toll system based on vessel size, weight, and type. Fees apply equally to all ships regardless of their country of origin. According to experts, the PCA has successfully operated the canal since its transfer from the US in 1999, functioning as an independent business entity separate from government control.

Canal challenges

Jorge Quijano, a former administrator of the PCA, explained that the authority faces significant challenges, such as the effects of a prolonged drought in 2023 that impacted operations and resulted in an estimated $1 billion loss in revenue. Quijano also noted that building additional reservoirs to mitigate water shortages could cost over $2 billion, underscoring the need for the canal's current market-based pricing strategy.

The PCA has also implemented measures to address operational challenges, including an online auction system for priority access to the canal during high demand. This system allows those willing to pay higher fees to transit faster while providing alternatives for others, such as routes through the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good Hope.

Analysts suggest Trump's comments may stem from broader concerns over geopolitical dynamics in Latin America, particularly China's influence. Chinese-linked firms operate two of the canal's five cargo ports, a factor that has raised eyebrows in Washington. However, experts caution that Trump's rhetoric risks escalating tensions unnecessarily.

Read more: Panama president reaffirms sovereignty over canal after Trump threats

  • United States
  • Panama
  • Panama canal
  • Trump administration
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

An Israeli soldier abandons an excavator during an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades. Arabic text reads "The moment the soldier fled", July, 10, 2025 (Al Qassam Military Media)

Israeli media rue al-Qassam footage, alarmed by fighters among troops

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after an Iranian attack at the al Udeid Airbase outside of Doha, Qatar, June 25, 2025 (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Satellite images show Iran attack damaged US comms dome in Qatari base

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
Ukraine’s Corporate Carve-Up Collapses?

Ukraine’s Corporate Carve-Up Collapses?

  • Analysis
  • 11 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Fire at new Iraqi mall kills at least 77 people
Miscellaneous

61 people killed as fire engulfs new mall in Iraq's Wasit

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro delivers a speech during a two-day conference on the Israeli war on Gaza, in Bogota, Colombia, Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Politics

Colombia's Petro says to part ways with NATO, cites bombing complicity

A person wearing graduate robes is detained by police across the street from the main gates of Columbia University, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP)
Politics

Columbia yields to federal pressure, adopts IHRA to regain $400M funds

Members of a French military flight crew talk on the tarmac at France's military air base in Dakar, Senegal, between flights toward the presumed site of the crash of a missing Air France flight Tuesday, June 2, 2009 (AP)
Politics

French army exits Senegal, as president advances post-colonial reforms

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS