Donald Trump’s:-The controversial statement made by the newly elected US President Donald Trump regarding the control of Panama Canal has given rise to a new debate. Know about it? 
Donald Trump:-The Panama Canal, one of the most crucial maritime routes in the world, has become the subject of a new controversy stirred by Donald Trump, the newly elected President of the United States. Trump claimed that the canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is under the control of Chinese military forces. He also accused the canal authorities of charging higher fees to American ships. Trump warned that if these alleged issues are not resolved after he assumes office, he would demand that the United States take control of the canal without any delay or negotiation.
However, the Panama Canal Authority has strongly denied Trump’s claims. In an interview reported by the Associated Press, the canal’s administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, clarified that China does not control the canal. He explained that while Chinese companies operate ports near the canal, they do so as part of a Hong Kong-based consortium that won a bidding process in 1997. Vásquez further noted that American and Taiwanese companies also manage other ports in the area. Despite this, Trump went so far as to suggest that he would not hesitate to use military force to gain control of the canal if necessary.
A Brief History of the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is an 82-kilometer-long waterway that links the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Its construction was initially attempted by the French but failed due to engineering challenges and financial problems. Eventually, the United States took over the project and completed it between 1904 and 1914. At that time, Panama was still part of Colombia.
The New York Times reports that when Colombia rejected a proposed treaty for the canal, the U.S. supported Panamanian rebels seeking independence. With U.S. naval support, Panama declared itself a republic in 1903, and shortly thereafter, the U.S. gained control of the canal zone under a treaty. For decades, the canal remained under American control.
Transition of Control to Panama
American control of the canal sparked anti-U.S. riots in Panama in 1964. This unrest led to a new treaty, negotiated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos in 1977. The Carter-Torrijos Treaty guaranteed the neutrality of the canal and required the U.S. to hand over control to Panama by the year 2000. By 1999, Panama officially took full control of the canal, which is now operated by the Panama Canal Authority.
Current Controversy
Panama Canal administrator Vásquez emphasized that the neutrality treaty prohibits special treatment for any nation, including the U.S. Panamanian President José Raúl Molino also dismissed Trump’s accusations, stating, “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its surrounding area belongs to Panama.” He reiterated that the canal charges all ships equally, regardless of their nationality.
Contrary to Trump’s claims, there are no Chinese military forces controlling the Panama Canal. However, some security concerns stem from Chinese involvement in nearby operations. Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings manages two ports near the canal’s entry points, which experts believe could give China access to shipping data. Ryan C. Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, expressed concerns that this data might be used for intelligence or espionage activities.
China, for its part, has stated that it respects Panama’s sovereignty over the canal and aims to maintain a cooperative relationship. After the U.S., China is the second-largest user of the Panama Canal.
Despite Trump’s claims, there is no evidence to suggest that China has taken control of the Panama Canal. The canal remains under Panamanian sovereignty, managed by its national authority. While geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China often create suspicion, Panama continues to ensure that the canal operates as a neutral and open route for global trade.
