Showdown at the Panama Canal: A US Ally Gets Caught in the Middle of Trump vs. China– www.cbn.com
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Excerpt:PANAMA – The Panama Canal, one of the world’s most important trade routes, has become a hot discussion item thanks to President Donald Trump. Much of that has to do with China’s growing influence in the region, and he’s making waves about America taking it back.
In his inaugural address, President Trump accused Panama of not honoring its agreements with the U.S.
“Panama’s promise to us has been broken,” he said. “The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape, or form. And that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
The U.S. helped to engineer and build the 50-mile waterway from 1904 to 1914. Then the U.S. controlled it from its opening in 1914 until 1979.
