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highplainsdem

(52,834 posts)
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 08:23 PM Saturday

Full text of Trump's two Truth Social posts about the Panama Canal

You can find the actual links to them in Mediaite's story here: https://www.mediaite.com/trump/trump-threatens-to-force-the-panamal-canal-to-be-returned-to-us-over-fees-the-rip-off-will-immediately-stop/

This is the text:

Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security. A secure Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. Commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to U.S. ports. The United States is the Number One user of the Canal, with over 70 percent of all transits heading to, or from, U.S. ports. Considered one of the Wonders of the Modern World, the Panama Canal opened for business 110 years ago, and was built at HUGE cost to the United States in lives and treasure - 38,000 American men died from infected mosquitos in the jungles during construction. Teddy Roosevelt was President of the United States at the time of its building, and understood the strength of Naval Power and Trade. When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else. It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its Navy, and corporations, doing business within our Country, exorbitant prices and rates of passage. Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete “rip-off” of our Country will immediately stop….

Dec 21, 2024, 5:16 PM


Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

….The United States has a vested interest in the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that was always understood. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands! It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!

Dec 21, 2024, 5:16 PM
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keep_left

(2,525 posts)
9. Yeah, no kidding. Too many big words...
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 08:42 PM
Saturday

...like "injudicious", "magnanimous", and "exorbitant". Trump's too dumb to use--or spell--words like that.

Does anyone know what precipitated this? I thought that Panama Canal politics died with disco.

Silent Type

(7,325 posts)
3. I'm sure his supporters will applaud. But don't think any Prez since Roosevelt would have let it fall
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 08:29 PM
Saturday

into the wrong hands.

chowder66

(9,885 posts)
8. Someone wrote that for him and threw in a few words that he would say near the end. He isn't President, nor will he be
Sat Dec 21, 2024, 08:38 PM
Saturday

again. Others are controlling the puppet.

Igel

(36,229 posts)
13. We all but did own it.
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 10:29 AM
Sunday

We were granted full sovereignty over a strip 5 miles on each side of the canal in perpetuity--full use, control, and occupation. In return we paid up to $10,250,000/year, granted full sovereignty over it.

If you were born in the Panama Canal Zone you were deemed born on US soil.

Emile

(30,781 posts)
14. The lease ran out.
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 10:35 AM
Sunday

A treaty with Colombia was signed in January 1903, providing a 100-year lease on a six-mile-wide strip of land needed for the canal.

GusBob

(7,603 posts)
15. The C word is the reason
Sun Dec 22, 2024, 12:12 PM
Sunday

China just upped its shipping fleet and is gonna take over the EV business world wide

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