After Trump’s demands: Panama allows US troops on the Panama Canal
The United States is allowed to station soldiers around the Panama Canal after an agreement with Panama. The Foreign Ministry of the Central American country announced a corresponding document on Thursday (local time). This receives US President Donald Trump An important concession for its demand for more influence from the United States on the important waterway. Trump claims that China controls the channel.
Why Trump wants to control the Panama Canal
The memorandum between the two governments was signed on Wednesday during the recent Panama visit by US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth. It states that military and civilian US staff are able to provide training, carry out exercises and store equipment in Panama designated and controlled institutions. The agreement is initially limited to three years and can be extended.
A cargo ship crosses the Cocoli locks of the Panama Canal in Panama City. According to a common agreement, the United States will be able to send troops to Panama. This is an important concession to President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP
Panama and the United States had previously announced that they were negotiating a regulation to secure US warships a free and priority passage through the Panama Canal. Trump had threatened to get the channel back several times because the USA would be treated unfairly. The canal was built by the engineering corps of the US army at the beginning of the 20th century. On December 31, 1999, the United States handed over the administration to Panama.
