President Donald Trump expressed concern over China’s growing influence on the Panama Canal during an event in North Dakota. He praised Theodore Roosevelt for the canal’s construction, labeling it a significant US achievement. Trump emphasized that the US would prevent China from taking control of the strategic waterway.
Trump reiterated his disapproval of the decision to transfer the canal’s control, citing it as a costly mistake. He highlighted Panama’s subsequent increase in transit fees, indicating a fourfold rise initially. Trump underscored the canal’s importance, linking it to Roosevelt’s legacy of major infrastructure projects.
The Panama Canal, a vital shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was constructed by the US in the early 20th century. Control was gradually transferred to Panama, completed in 1999. Operated by the Panama Canal Authority, the canal plays a crucial role in global maritime trade, impacting international commerce, including trade involving India.
