Trump suggests reclaiming control of Panama Canal, Panama's president responds
Donald Trump suggested that his future administration might seek to regain control of the Panama Canal, which the U.S. handed over in 1999. He criticized current fees for shipping as excessive. Panama's President José Raúl Mulino rejected Trump's comments, asserting that the canal belongs to Panama and that fees are based on operational costs. He emphasized the canal's importance to Panama's economy. Trump's remarks came during a rally in Phoenix, where he also discussed his plans for a strong economy and unity within the Republican Party. He did not address recent congressional issues during his speech.