Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Leah Schroeder
“During his inaugural address, President Donald Trump made very clear his thoughts on the Panama Canal: ‘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.’ Chief among his concerns was that China was in effect operating the waterway. ‘We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,’ Trump said. And almost exactly one year later, a court decision may make Trump’s dream a reality. The Supreme Court of Panama is currently finishing up deliberations that will determine whether CK Hutchison, a private Hong Kong company, will be allowed to continue running two ports on opposite ends of the Panama Canal — a decision imbued with significant geopolitical tensions.” (01/27/26)