In a series of posts over the weekend of Dec. 21, President-elect Donald Trump criticized the tolls that ships must pay to use the Panama Canal, a key waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The fees, set and collected by the Panamanian government, can range from $3,000 to $500,000 depending on a vessel’s size and cargo.
Trump expressed frustration with the Panama government, saying in his posts that the United States is the largest user of the canal, with over 70% of transits linked to U.S. ports.
He noted that the Panama Canal was built at great cost to the United States and was handed over to Panama in 1999 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Trump argued that the canal was not meant to charge U.S. ships, military and corporations “exorbitant fees.”
“When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else,” Trump posted on social media. “It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its Navy, and corporations, doing business within our Country, exorbitant prices and rates of passage.”
Trump went on to say via Truth Social, “If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!”
Trump’s remarks prompted responses from Panama and Mexico. In a video message posted on X, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong.”
Without naming Trump directly, Mulino defended the tolls, emphasizing that the fees are based on the canal’s operational costs and infrastructure improvements, which Panama has funded over the years. He also stated that Panamanians are united in their sovereignty over the canal.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed solidarity with Panama and supported its right to manage the canal.
Trump appeared undeterred by these responses, doubling down on his stance that Panama should adjust its toll rates or risk losing control of the canal. He posted, “We’ll see about that!”
Trump’s rhetoric regarding the Panama Canal echoes his previous threats against Canada. If Canada does not do more to secure its border, Trump has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on goods coming from the country.
When Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that such a move could cripple the Canadian economy, Trump joked that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state. He also posted a satirical image mocking the idea of Canada joining the U.S.
In a similar vein, Trump posted an AI-generated image of a U.S. flag in the Panama Canal with the phrase, “Welcome to the United States Canal!”
Meanwhile, Trump again made comments over the weekend about the U.S. purchasing Greenland following his nomination of an ambassador to Denmark.
In a Truth Social post, Trump argued that the United States must control Greenland for national security and global stability.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded, stating, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale.”
Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland is not new. During his first term, he actively pursued the idea, even initiating diplomatic talks with Denmark about a potential purchase. When Denmark rejected the proposal, Trump canceled a planned visit, escalating tensions with the Danish government.
As Trump prepares to return to the White House in less than a month, his foreign policy positions are already drawing global attention
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