Summary
Donald Trump criticized Panama Canal fees as “ridiculous” and demanded lower costs or the canal’s return to the US.
In a Truth Social post, Trump also expressed concern about potential Chinese influence over the waterway, despite no direct Chinese control of canal operations.
The canal, transferred to Panama in 1999, is vital for global trade, handling 5% of maritime traffic.
Trump’s comments follow record revenues of $5 billion announced by the Panama Canal Authority. Panama has not yet responded to his statements.
They also saw the constitution as a living document that should change with the times. The bill of rights was already in the pipeline when it was signed. There have been barely any changes since due to the impossibility of getting 3/4 of states to agree on if water is wet, let alone something important.