“Decoding Trump’s Remarks on the Panama Canal: Tariffs, Security, and Strategy”

Donald Trump’s recent remarks about the Panama Canal—“We built it, we paid for it, and now they’re charging our ships exorbitant fees. It’s time to take back control”—have ignited intense global debate. This statement has drawn attention to tariffs, management practices, and geopolitical sensitivities surrounding one of the world’s most critical maritime trade arteries. To fully understand its implications, it is essential to unpack the historical context, economic dimensions, and strategic undertones of this provocative comment.