Donald Trump’s recent claim about possibly taking back control of the Panama Canal has left many US tourists scratching their heads.
For people like Natalia Glusack, a 47-year-old accountant from California, the idea seems out of place. “It’s 100 percent Panama, and it should stay that way,” she said while vacationing with her mother at the canal’s viewing area.
Around 50 Americans gathered to watch a 266-meter Danish cargo ship pass through the canal. None of them supported Trump’s suggestion to reclaim control of the waterway. Trump has argued that American ships are charged “unfair” fees and even alleged, without evidence, that China controls the canal. Panama’s government strongly rejected his claims.
Mindy Holland, a retiree from New York, dismissed Trump’s accusations. “Donald Trump says a lot of things, but that doesn’t make them true,” she said. Another tourist, Paola Metzner, emphasized that the canal belongs to Panama under the 1977 treaty signed by US President Jimmy Carter. “It was part of the agreement,” she said.
The Panama Canal has a long history. French companies began its construction in 1881 but abandoned the project due to harsh conditions and widespread disease. The United States took over, and the canal officially opened in 1914 under US control. However, the 1977 treaty transferred control to Panama with the promise that the canal would remain neutral forever.
Some analysts view Trump’s comments as a negotiation strategy aimed at reducing transit fees for American ships. Alan Muller, a retired financial consultant from Washington, suggested it’s all about business. “Trump is a businessman at heart. He might just want to save US companies money,” said Muller, 75. He also noted that Trump’s rhetoric could appeal to people who don’t fully understand the history of the canal.
However, Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino firmly denied any toll reductions for US ships or interference from China. “There will be no negotiations with Trump over the canal,” he stated. The waterway, used by 74% of US cargo ships, plays a vital role in global maritime trade, allowing vessels to avoid the long, dangerous route around South America.
Trump’s remarks, such as calling the transit fees “ridiculous” and threatening to demand the canal’s return, have sparked controversy. Despite this, some tourists, like Ed Bein, understand his perspective. “If the ships weren’t saving money by using the canal, they wouldn’t come this way,” he said. “The tolls must be reasonable.”
With 5% of global maritime traffic passing through the canal, it remains a crucial link in international trade. Yet, for the Americans visiting Panama, Trump’s claims seem more like posturing than a real issue. As Metzner summed it up, “It’s Panama’s canal. That’s just how it is.”
