Setting the Record Straight About the Panama Canal

Source: Independent Institute
by Alvaro Vargas Llosa

“President Trump has convinced many Americans that the Panama Canal, a vital shipping route for international commerce — particularly for cargo going to and originating in the United States — is controlled by China. He views this as a direct threat to the U.S. He also believes that the Panamanians are charging U.S. ships too much for using the canal. As a result, he threatened Panama with military force, intending to take the canal from them and put it under Washington’s control. Anyone remotely familiar with how deeply rooted the canal is in Panama´s psyche and how entangled the whole issue is with Panamanian nationalism would have easily predicted the passions these threats would stir among Panamanians. Ironically, this comes at a time when Panama has a pro-U.S. administration.” (01/17/25)

https://blog.independent.org/2025/01/17/setting-the-record-straight-about-the-panama-canal/