Donald Trump said he was taking the Panama Canal back in his inauguration speech. It was a revenge move because Panama called out his companies’ corruption. Panamanians will never allow the recreation of an apartheid sub-state to run the canal that is rightfully theirs.
Trump says he is taking back the Panama Canal.
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Summary
Donald Trump’s recent speech calling for the U.S. to “take back” the Panama Canal is filled with historical inaccuracies, nationalistic rhetoric, and personal vendettas. Trump falsely claims that the canal was built with American lives and money, distorts Panama’s sovereignty, and blames China for supposedly controlling the canal. His threats to retake the canal stem from personal grievances over failed business ventures in Panama, including accusations of tax evasion and mismanagement. This dangerous rhetoric ignores international treaties, violates Panamanian sovereignty, and risks destabilizing a vital global trade route.
Key Points
- Historical Inaccuracies: Trump falsely claims that 38,000 Americans died building the canal, ignoring that most workers were exploited Caribbean laborers.
- Treaty Misrepresentation: The canal’s transfer to Panama in 1999 followed decades of apartheid and colonial-style U.S. control and was governed by the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
- China Misinformation: Trump falsely asserts that China operates the canal, misleading the public about its administration by Panama.
- Personal Vendettas: Trump’s threats are rooted in grievances over failed Panama business ventures, including lawsuits for tax evasion and management disputes.
- Geopolitical Recklessness: Any attempt to seize the canal would violate international law, destabilize the region, and render the canal unusable.
Progressive Perspective
Trump’s rhetoric on the Panama Canal is a dangerous mix of historical revisionism and personal pettiness that threatens global stability. This nationalist bluster exemplifies his disregard for international norms and his willingness to exploit public fears for personal gain. Progressives must reject these divisive tactics, advocate for respect for treaties, and promote global cooperation to ensure a fairer, more just international order.
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Donald Trump’s recent claims about taking back the Panama Canal expose a troubling mix of ignorance, revisionist history, and personal vendetta. The speech, peppered with falsehoods about history and U.S. treaties, illustrates Trump’s penchant for exploiting nationalistic rhetoric for personal gain. However, his threats, rooted in petty grievances, are neither feasible nor justifiable under international law and geopolitical realities. This essay unpacks Trump’s assertions, dissects the historical and current dynamics of the Panama Canal, and highlights the broader implications of his reckless posturing.
Historical and Geopolitical Context
The Panama Canal, an engineering marvel, was completed in 1914 after immense human and financial cost. Trump’s statement that 38,000 Americans died building the canal is blatantly false. The majority of workers were not Americans but Caribbean laborers, primarily Black men from Jamaica and Barbados. These workers endured inhumane conditions, poor wages, and racial segregation under the U.S. administration of the Canal Zone—an apartheid colonial-style regime that perpetuated inequality and exploitation.
In 1977, the United States signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, agreeing to transfer canal control to Panama by 1999. This was not an act of “foolish generosity” but a recognition of Panama’s sovereignty and a step toward rectifying decades of colonialist control. Trump’s framing of the canal’s return as a betrayal ignores both the historical injustices faced by Panamanians and the treaty’s legal and diplomatic significance.
Moreover, Trump’s claim that China “operates the Panama Canal” is a gross lie. The canal remains under the administration of the Panama Canal Authority, a Panamanian government agency. While Chinese companies have invested in port infrastructure near the canal, they do not control its operations. Such falsehoods stoke xenophobic fears and distract from substantive issues.
Trump’s Personal Vendetta Against Panama
Trump’s fixation on the Panama Canal can be traced to his tumultuous business dealings. The Trump Organization’s involvement in the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower in Panama City became a legal and financial debacle. Panamanian courts evicted Trump’s management team from the property, and lawsuits alleged tax evasion and money laundering by Trump-affiliated entities. These controversies tarnished Trump’s reputation in Latin America, where his brand is now synonymous with corruption and failure.
It is not surprising that Trump’s grievances over his business failures in Panama have resurfaced in his political rhetoric. His threats to “take back” the canal are less about national interest and more about settling personal scores. This underscores a broader pattern: Trump’s use of the presidency to serve his private interests, often at the expense of international norms and relationships.
The Impracticality of Retaking the Canal
Trump’s suggestion of reclaiming the Panama Canal is not only illegal but also logistically untenable. The canal’s lock-based system is inherently vulnerable and dependent on Panamanian geography and water resources. Attempting to seize the canal militarily would destabilize the region and render the canal inoperable. Furthermore, such an act would violate international law, including the Torrijos-Carter Treaties and the United Nations Charter, inviting global condemnation.
Panamanians, who view the canal as a symbol of their sovereignty and resilience, would fiercely resist any attempt at U.S. interference. Trump’s bluster ignores the complex realities of modern geopolitics, where unilateral aggression often backfires.
The Broader Implications of Trump’s Rhetoric
Trump’s comments on the Panama Canal exemplify his broader disregard for treaties and international commitments. From withdrawing from the Paris Agreement to undermining the Iran nuclear deal, his presidency was marked by a pattern of isolationism and treaty violations. This approach erodes U.S. credibility and weakens its ability to lead on the global stage.
Progressives must remain vigilant against such reckless rhetoric and policies. Trump’s attempt to rewrite history and stoke nationalist fervor serves as a reminder of the dangers of authoritarian populism. The resistance must focus on educating the public about these issues, mobilizing voters, and holding leaders accountable to principles of justice and international cooperation.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s baseless threats to retake the Panama Canal are a desperate attempt to distract from his failures and reassert his relevance. This rhetoric, rooted in ignorance and vindictiveness, disregards historical truths, international law, and the sovereignty of Panama. Progressives must counter these narratives with facts and a commitment to upholding democratic values. The movement can inspire a renewed focus on justice, diplomacy, and global solidarity by exposing Trump’s motives and failures.
Now, more than ever, the fight for truth and equity requires collective action to prevent figures like Trump from dragging the nation—and the world—backward.
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