Donald Trump is standing his ground. He won’t let anyone intimidate him.
And Trump traded punches with this foreign leader during a heated exchange.
President-elect Donald Trump reignited tensions with Panama on Sunday after Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino issued a strongly-worded statement rejecting Trump’s demands for changes in the control of the Panama Canal.
Trump’s comments came amid concerns about communist China’s increasing investments in the canal and surrounding infrastructure, which some argue threaten U.S. interests.
In his statement, Mulino declared, “Every square meter of the Panama Canal … belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama.” Trump, known for his blunt responses, quickly fired back, writing on social media, “We’ll see about that!”
Trump at his best. pic.twitter.com/cv01erouyE
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) December 22, 2024
Trump’s remarks referenced the history of the Panama Canal, which was financed, constructed, and owned by the United States until the transfer of control to Panama, following the controversial Panama Canal Treaty signed under President Jimmy Carter.
Trump has frequently criticized this decision, framing it as a failure of American leadership.
Further escalating the conversation, Trump shared an AI-generated image on social media featuring an American flag flying from a ship navigating the canal. Accompanying the image, he wrote, “Welcome to the United States Canal!”
BREAKING: Donald Trump posts Grok image claiming the Panama Canal for America, renaming it ‘The United States Canal’ pic.twitter.com/2iUOnscVdB
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) December 22, 2024
Mulino stood firm in his response, reaffirming his country’s sovereignty over the canal.
“As President, I want to express precisely that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to PANAMA, and will continue to be,” Mulino said. “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable.”
Highlighting the canal’s economic importance, Mulino emphasized that it generates “billions of dollars” annually for Panama.
He also defended the nation’s control over canal operations, stating that rates are determined transparently, with considerations for market conditions, international competition, and the canal’s maintenance and modernization needs.
Despite Panama’s lack of a military, Mulino dismissed any suggestion of relinquishing control to the United States, which boasts the world’s most formidable armed forces.
He expressed a desire for a “good and respectful relationship” with the U.S. while urging cooperation on issues like illegal migration, drug trafficking, and organized crime.
The escalating exchange highlights growing geopolitical tensions surrounding the Panama Canal, a vital trade route with far-reaching implications for global commerce and U.S. strategic interests.
With Trump’s presidency on the horizon, this issue could mark the beginning of a broader reevaluation of America’s approach to the region.
This issue also proves once again that Donald Trump will never back down to a fight and will always put the interests of America first, something the nation has sorely missed over the last 4 years.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
