Beyond Greenland, US President Donald Trump has even set his sights on acquiring the Panama Canal on the grounds of national security. He has also refused to act out monetary or military force to this end.
The 80km global canal essentially provides a shipping shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, allowing vessels to minimize the long, hazardous voyage around the southwestern tip of South America.
Trump has accused Panama of charging increased prices to use the Central American passing while also alleging, without foundation, that China is involved in its control and that Chinese military operate the river.
“It’s being operated by China. China! We gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we did n’t give it to China, ” Trump said in a freewheeling press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Jan 7.
Trump doubled down on his claims in his political inauguration speech on Jan 20. “China is operating the Panama Canal, and we did n’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back, ” he said.
China does not handle or handle the Panama Canal, although a company of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has huge managed two ships on both ends of the lake.
Panama leaders have pushed up strongly on Trump’s danger to recapture the key international waterway, which the US had built and owned before handing over control in 1999.
China has even weighed in. “China did as always value Panama’s independence over the river and accept the river as a completely natural international waterway, ” said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson in late December.
Trump’s remarks have stirred controversy and hinted at the aggressive foreign policy he is expected to take during his second presidency.
Analysts say the chances of the Trump 2. 0 administration taking the Panama Canal by force are unlikely.
The US position in Latin America would be severely undermined if Trump were to proceed, cautioned Amalendu Misra, a professor of international politics at Lancaster University.
It would prompt many nations in the region to pull out from the Organisation of American States, which comprises more than 30 countries in the Americas, cautioned Misra in an article published by independent news site The Conversation on Jan 9.
“Worse still, it could also encourage many of the fearful nations to openly seek military alliances with enemies of the US, such as Russia, China and Iran- an outcome that would far from strengthen US security, ” he said.
Either way, Trump’s expansionist rhetoric has already wrought harm to America’s reputation, said Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs columnist for the Financial Times.
“Even if Trump never makes good on his threats, he has already done enormous damage to America’s global standing and to its alliance system, ” Rachman said in a Jan 15 commentary on CNA.
“Any sniggering at Trump’s ‘jokes ’ is misplaced. What we are witnessing is a tragedy – not a comedy. ”