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The newly elected US President, Donald Trump, has warned that US ships traveling through the Panama Canal have been charged high fees, to reduce the fees or give the control of the canal back to the US.
"Panama's tariffs are ridiculous and grossly unfair," Trump said, addressing supporters in Arizona on Sunday. Trump will take the office of president on January 20.
After Trump's comments, the president of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, responded that 'every square meter of the canal and the surrounding area belongs to his country'. Mullino says that there will be no compromise on Panama's sovereignty and independence.
Trump addressed supporters of the conservative activist group 'Turning Point USA' in Arizona. The group supported Trump in the election last November.
This is a rare expression of the issue that the American leader can pressure any country to hand over territory. Although there is no explanation about how this action will be done, it is a sign that the US foreign policy will change with Trump's entry into the White House.
Earlier, Trump said that the Panama Canal is an important national asset for America. "If shipping rates are not reduced, we will demand the return of the Panama Canal to us quickly and unconditionally," Trump said.
this It is a man-made canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the narrow isthmus of the Republic of Panama. After the construction of the canal, the distance between the east and west coasts of America has decreased by about 12,875 km. Around 14,000 ships pass through the canal every year. A boat takes 8 to 10 hours to cross the canal.
The 82 km long canal was built over years. The French company that took over the construction of the canal started work in January 1882. But after the work did not progress as expected, America started work in May 1904.
1914 The canal, opened on August 15, was handed over to Panama by the United States on December 31, 1999. According to the 1977 agreement between US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian General Omar Torrios, the US handed over the canal.
25,600 workers died during the construction of the canal. Most of them died due to malaria and fever.
