In inauguration day speech, Trump says US will take back Panama Canal
Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump vowed on Monday that the United States would take back the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of breaking the promises it made for the final transfer of the strategic waterway in 1999 and of ceding its operation to China.
"We didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back," Trump said.
He gave no further details on when or how he intended to do that but had previously refused to rule out possible use of military force, which drew criticism from Washington's Latin American friends and foes alike.
Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino on Monday responded on social media that his country has administered the canal responsibly for world trade, including for the US, and that it, "is and will continue to be Panamanian."
Critics have accused Trump of language that evokes modern-day imperialism, suggesting such rhetoric could encourage Russia on its war in Ukraine and give justification to China if it decides to invade self-ruled Taiwan.
Some analysts have questioned whether Trump is serious about pursuing what critics say would be a land grab, speculating he may be laying down an extreme negotiating position to squeeze out concessions later on.
"The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons," he said.
Trump said the US had "foolishly" given the Panama Canal to Panama.
The United States largely built the canal and administered territory surrounding the passage for decades. But the United States and Panama signed a pair of accords in 1977 that paved the way for the canal's return to full Panamanian control. The United States handed it over in 1999 after a period of joint administration.
We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama's promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated," Trump said.
He said US ships are "being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form." Panama has insisted that it treats fairly all vessels that transit the canal, and has said China has no control over its administration.
China does not control or administer the canal, but a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has long managed two ports located on the canal's Caribbean and Pacific entrances.
In Monday's speech, Trump also repeated his promise to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Jeff Mason, Nandita Bose, Katharine Jackson in Washington, Elida Moreno in Panama City; writing by Matt Spetalnick; editing by Don Durfee and Alistair Bell)
