Donald Trump complained about “ridiculous” tariffs imposed on US ships in the Panama Canal

President-elect Trump unleashed against Panama Canal fees on Saturday, claiming that the United States is being torn apart by high prices.

In a post published by Truth Social on Saturday, Trump complained at length about the fees imposed on US ships passing through The big ditch. Panama Canal fees can range from three to six figures depending on the size of the ship and the volume of cargo it carries, with fees for the largest ships reaching up to $500,000.

“The Panama Canal is a vital national asset to the United States, given its critical role in the American economy and national security,” Trump wrote in his post. “A secure Panama Canal is critical to U.S. commerce, and the Navy’s rapid deployment, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, dramatically reduces shipping times to U.S. ports.”

The incoming president criticized former President Carter, whom Trump said “foolishly gave up a dollar.” In 1977, Carter signed the Panama Canal Treaty, which gradually ended US control of the canal by 1999.

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Carter also signed the Neutrality Treaty, which guaranteed that duties would be equal for all countries. Trump implied the need to give the United States preferential treatment in office.

“Our navy and our trade have been treated unfairly and in a very unwise manner,” the president-elect said. “The tariffs imposed by Panama are ridiculous, especially considering the extraordinary generosity the United States has extended to Panama, and this complete ‘theft’ of our country will stop immediately.”

Trump also floated the idea of ​​demanding that ownership of the canal be returned to the United States if American ships are not given fair treatment.

Trump concluded his speech by saying: “(The Panama Canal) was not granted for the benefit of others, but only as a symbol of cooperation with us and Panama.” “If the ethical and legal principles of this generous gesture of giving are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in full, without question.

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“To officials in Panama, please direct accordingly!”

Trump also noted that the canal was built at enormous cost to the United States, though he incorrectly claimed that 38,000 Americans died during its construction. The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 5,600 people died working during American construction of the canal.

It is unclear how many Americans died, because a large portion of the workforce was recruited from the Caribbean. Trump may have included approximately 22,000 workers who died during the French attempt to build the canal in the 1880s.

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X account of the Government Efficiency Department Recently claimed The Panama Canal cost American taxpayers $15.7 billion. The US government does not support the channel. Ships passing through it pay fees.