U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats to 'take back' the Panama Canal have raised eyebrows globally. 🌎 Critics argue this move hints at reviving the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, a policy historically used to assert U.S. dominance in the Americas. But why now—and what’s at stake for global trade and geopolitics? 🔍
Trump’s Bold Claims 📢
Trump falsely claims China operates the canal, despite clarifications from Panama and Beijing. The Panama Canal, transferred to Panama in 1999 under U.S.-signed treaties, remains under Panamanian control. 🇵🇦 President Jose Raul Mulino called Trump’s rhetoric 'nonsense,' emphasizing the canal 'was not a gift' from the U.S.
Why the Canal Matters 🌐
⚓️ 14,000+ ships pass through annually, handling 5% of global maritime trade.
🇺🇸 The U.S. remains its top user, followed by China, a key investor in Panama’s infrastructure via the Belt and Road Initiative.
Trump’s focus on the canal reflects growing anxiety over China’s economic influence in Latin America—a flashpoint in escalating U.S.-China 'great power competition.'
What’s Next for US Foreign Policy? 🤔
Trump’s tactics could include military threats (citing a 1977 treaty) or trade tariffs to pressure Panama. Republican legislators are already pushing bills to limit Panama’s ties with China and negotiate canal control. Critics warn such moves risk destabilizing international law and regional sovereignty.
As Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Central America, the world watches: Will Trump’s 'America First' strategy reshape global norms—or backfire? 💥
