# Is Trump threatening to seize the Panama Canal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [December 22, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000 "2024-12-22T01:31:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/41 "2024-12-23T06:45:01Z")
That’s domestic policy (though Trump may think it’s foreign policy, to be fair.) ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/42 "2024-12-23T13:39:41Z")
He’s trolling. He loves the reaction. Look, the man is an utter moron and I loathe him as much as anyone, but this is trolling and we’re here taking the bait. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/43 "2024-12-23T14:43:08Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Remember a few years back with all that nonsense about buying Greenland from Denmark? How it would be easy and cheap to do, despite making no sense whatsoever politically, economically, or in any other way for anybody else? [Plus ça change…](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/23/trump-buying-greenland-ownership) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/44 "2024-12-23T14:52:16Z")
It should be noted that despite Panama controlling the Canal, the United States did retain the right to defend the Canal from any threat to its neutrality. It would be quite the stretch but there is a legal mechanism Trump can use to try and take over the Canal. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/45 "2024-12-23T14:57:47Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Am I forgetting anything? He wants to preemtively bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities. [https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-iran-plan-nuclear-weapons-def26f1d](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/trump-iran-plan-nuclear-weapons-def26f1d) ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/46 "2024-12-23T15:20:17Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Remember a few years back with all that nonsense about **buying** Greenland from Denmark? > [bolding mine] Somone with access to his Stürmer Social (SS) account is going further than mere buying. > “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. > Trump, who takes office on 20 January, did not elaborate on the statement. Denmark is **[not amused](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/23/trump-buying-greenland-ownership)**. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > “_Who_ gave _what_ to _who_??” To whom? > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > And for even MORE historical context, the canal zone & control of the canal was given to the United States by Panama in exchange for US support of their declaring independence from Colombia in 1903. So it wasn’t ever “stolen” from Panama. No, it was stolen from Colombia. Panama had never been independent and never had wanted to, but in this way the USA would be able to control the canal, which would be much more difficult with Colombia being the owner. Colombia is big and much mightier than Panama. > [@Smapti](#): > > Am I forgetting anything? You forgot - Betray Ukraine. Apart from that, you’re spot on. > [@OldOlds](#): > > Look, the man is an utter moron and I loathe him as much as anyone, but this is trolling and we’re here taking the bait. I disagree. He is trolling, yes, but if we (generic we: those who matter, not this board) don’t react he will say we silently agreed and then he will do it. We have to take the bait. Those have always been his tactics. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/47 "2024-12-23T15:33:40Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I disagree. He is trolling, yes, but if we (generic we: those who matter, not this board) don’t react he will say we silently agreed and then he will do it. What can anyone say about anything that won’t result in him saying ‘see, they agree with me’? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/48 "2024-12-23T15:57:24Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Ah, well, fortunately, Greenland is already owned and controlled. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/49 "2024-12-23T16:08:01Z")
Get ready for another 4 years of weak-bully foreign policy. Trump will have fun shredding international norms, needling weaker allies, and bombing countries that are too weak to defend themselves, but of course he won’t be standing up to any strong or sophsticated rivals. And of course it goes without saying, America is 100% for sale to the highest bidder at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/50 "2024-12-23T16:13:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Ah, well, fortunately, Greenland is already owned and controlled. Can we just pretend like they’re paying $100 billion for Greenland, and then use that money to pay off some medical debts? I mean, it’s not like he’s going to fly there and check to see if it’s full of Americans, or anything. We’ll just AI up some Happy Fun Greenlanders pictures for him. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/51 "2024-12-23T16:20:53Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > He is trolling, yes, but if we (generic we: those who matter, not this board) don’t react he will say we silently agreed and then he will do it. We have to take the bait. Those have always been his tactics. Like when he said that everyone, including Democrats, wanted Roe overturned? You seem to think that logic, truth, and things that can easily be cited on the record matter here. They don’t. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/52 "2024-12-23T17:33:54Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Like when he said that everyone, including Democrats, wanted Roe overturned? You seem to think that logic, truth, and things that can easily be cited on the record matter here. They don’t. Yep, they don’t, but that goes for the base, we only need to convince 2% that were misguided by voting for Trump for the economy when did not vote for him in the past. Of course, when one looks at how far from the truth and justice Trump is, and talking about invading others. We can expect then, contrary to what Superman would say, a leader that will be even more for: Untruth, Injustice, and the Nazi cosplayer way… ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/54 "2024-12-23T22:35:50Z")
Trump may not seize the canal himself soon. But over the top statements are how irredentism starts. If succeeded by another MAGA president, the odds will rise. The push to invade Panama has legs: [ Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) on Monday called President-elect Trump’s recent threats about the Panama Canal “legitimate.” ](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5054164-gimenez-trump-panama-threats-legitimate/) I contrast this with Greenland, where Trump’s threat is more bizarre. The U.S. already [has whatever military presence it desires there](https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Pituffik-SB-Greenland/). And [Denmark contributes two-thirds of Greenland’s budget revenue](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18249474). Someone is likely to explain this to Trump before it is too late. Here is a relevant google-translated article from a Greenland newspaper site: [The US already has control of Greenland](https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/samfund/usa-har-allerede-kontrol-med-gronland/2176172) > [@](#): > > According to researcher at the Danish Defense Academy Peter Viggo Jakobsen, the US already has full control over Greenland, and there are no other powers that can do anything in Greenland. . . . > > So it’s an interesting statement seen from Greenlandic eyes, but I have a hard time seeing it becoming a reality, just as it wasn’t the last time he wanted to buy Greenland, says Peter Viggo Jakobsen. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/55 "2024-12-24T01:09:43Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > No, it was stolen from Colombia. Panama had never been independent and never had wanted to, but in this way the USA would be able to control the canal, which would be much more difficult with Colombia being the owner. Colombia is big and much mightier than Panama. This. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/56 "2024-12-24T01:23:30Z")
There is a story that Theodore Roosevelt sought advice from his Attorney General, Philander C Knox, for a legal justification for the acquisition of the Panama Canal project. Knox is said to have sighed and replied : > Oh, Mr President, do not let so great an achievement suffer from any taint of legality. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/57 "2024-12-24T01:29:40Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > No, it was stolen from Colombia. Panama had never been independent and never had wanted to, The second part is not true. Panama had always considered itself semi-independent, and in fact had been an independent nation before- > **[Secession of Panama from Colombia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_Panama_from_Colombia)** > > The secession of Panama from Colombia was formalized on 3 November 1903, with the establishment of the Republic of Panama and the abolition of the Colombia-Costa Rica border. From the Independence of Panama from Spain in 1821, Panama had simultaneously declared independence from Spain and joined itself to the confederation of Gran Colombia through the Independence Act of Panama. Panama was always tenuously connected to the rest of the country to the south, owing to its remoteness from the govern... _The **separation of [Panama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama) from [Colombia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia)** was formalized on 3 November 1903, with the establishment of the [Republic of Panama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Panama) and the [abolition of the Colombia-Costa Rica border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica-Panama_border). From the [Independence of Panama from Spain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_of_Panama_from_Spain) in 1821, Panama had simultaneously declared independence from Spain and joined itself to the confederation of [Gran Colombia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Colombia) through the [Independence Act of Panama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Act_of_Panama). Panama was always tenuously connected to the rest of the country to the south, owing to its remoteness from the government in [Bogotá](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogot%C3%A1) and [lack of a practical overland connection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari%C3%A9n_Gap) to the rest of Gran Colombia. In 1840–41, a short-lived independent republic was established under [Tomás de Herrera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom%C3%A1s_de_Herrera). After rejoining Colombia following a 13-month independence, it remained a province which saw frequent rebellious flare-ups, notably the [Panama crisis of 1885](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_crisis_of_1885), which saw the intervention of the [United States Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy), and a reaction by the [Chilean Navy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_Navy)._ > [@Chronos](#): > > Ah, well, fortunately, Greenland is already owned and controlled. The USA did occupy Greenland in 1941. It had been part of Denmark, until Denmark was invaded by the Nazis, it declared independence. It rejoined Denmark some years after the war, but currently has self rule. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/58 "2024-12-27T11:09:56Z")
Now Dear Leader is suggesting that there are Chinese soldiers in the Canal. You’d think that would be easy to check, but who cares about facts? > **[Panama's president calls Trump's Chinese canal claim 'nonsense'](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rj11ne68eo)** > > The president-elect has threatened to take back control of the Panama Canal, alleging Chinese interference. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/59 "2024-12-27T22:15:41Z")
well, the Chinese do have ports on either end so… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/60 "2024-12-27T23:10:19Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Now Dear Leader is suggesting that there are Chinese soldiers in the Canal. You’d think that would be easy to check, but who cares about facts? I don’t actually find that completely unbelievable. Haven’t the Chinese operated police stations here in the United States? I doubt any Chinese soldiers would be walking around in uniform or carrying rifles, but it’s entirely possible they’ve got people stationed over there doing who-knows-what. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000/61 "2024-12-27T23:17:06Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > _According to researcher at the Danish Defense Academy Peter Viggo Jakobsen_… My Mom loved this guy. Watched that _Hildago_ movie like 40 times. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-threatening-to-seize-the-panama-canal/1012000.md?page=4)