Trump Hits Back at Panama President on Keeping Canal: ‘We’ll See About That’
Breitbart ^ | 22 Dec 2024 | Paul Bois
Posted on 12/22/2024 10:29:37 PM PST by SoConPubbie
President-elect Donald Trump has responded to the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, on the debate over the Panama Canal.
As Breitbart News reported, the president-elect put the Panama Canal in his sights recently, saying that the United States will take the vital trade route back if the country continues to “rip off” the U.S.
“The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A secure Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. Commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to U.S. ports.”
“The United States is the Number One user of the Canal, with over 70 percent of all transits heading to, or from, U.S. ports,” Trump added. “Considered one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago, and was built at HUGE cost to the United States in lives and treasure – 38,000 American men died from infected mosquitos in the jungles during construction.”
In response, José Raúl Mulino said the canal will continue to remain an asset of Panama.
“As President, I want to express clearly that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so,” Mulino said in video statement, according to an English translation. “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable. The Canal is not under direct or indirect control, neither by China, nor by the European Community, nor by the United States, nor by any other power. Snip -- Snip”
“Panama respects other nations and demands respect,” he added.
In another Truth Social post, Trump said, “We’ll see about that.”
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: panama; trump
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1 posted on 12/22/2024 10:29:37 PM PST by SoConPubbie
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