Trump's Canal Controversy: Fees and Future Control

Former President Donald Trump stirred the waters with his latest comments on the Panama Canal. He claimed that the fees Panama charges for using the canal are too high. Trump even suggested that the US should take back control of the canal if Panama doesn't manage it better. He seems worried that China might have too much influence on the canal. The Panama Canal is crucial for trade and security, according to Trump. It's interesting that Trump is bringing up this issue now. The US handed full control of the canal to Panama in 1999, 25 years ago. The canal was completed by the US in 1914 and is still a big deal for trade. The US accounts for about three-quarters of the cargo that goes through the canal each year. But a long drought recently made it tougher to move ships between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Trump's comments about Panama's fees come after his earlier idea about Canada becoming the 51st state of the US. This shows how Trump might change US diplomacy when he starts his second term in January. He wants NATO countries to spend more on defense, and now he's talking about the Panama Canal. It's worth noting that two of the five ports near the canal are managed by a Chinese company. Trump seems concerned about who has control over the canal. He thinks it should stay between the US and Panama, not China. A Panama government official said they'll respond to Trump's statement soon. Meanwhile, Nicaragua's president has plans for a new canal that could be an alternative to the Panama Canal. He wants to attract Chinese and American investors. This could push Panama to make changes to keep its canal competitive.