What Panamanians have to say about Trump's threats to retake the canal

Panama’s control of the canal that bears its name should not be returned to the United States despite President Donald Trump’s calls of “we’re taking it back,” Panamanians say.

Panama’s control of the canal that bears its name should not be returned to the United States despite President Donald Trump’s calls of “we’re taking it back,” Panamanians say.

Although most people thought the matter was closed when Panama officially took control of canal operations from the United States in 1999, the issue reared its head during his campaign when he suggested the engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans was being run by China and should return to U.S. control.

Trump repeated that claim in his inaugural speech this week, saying, “China is operating the Panama Canal,” and “we’re taking it back.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Panama during a Latin American and Caribbean tour that starts late next week.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed the notion as he and other Panamanian leaders tried to gain international support this week for keeping the canal under their nation’s authority.

Among those leaders is Jorge Luis Quijano, a former canal administrator, who insists Panama is running the waterway, not China. He also disputed Trump’s complaint that U.S. ships pay more to pass through the canal than other countries.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/panamanians-say-trumps-threats-retake-canal-rcna188866

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