35.7 C
Delhi
Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Trump remark on Panama push US allies closer to Russia, China : US Senator

Date:

Share post:

Donate-GC-Razorpay

Washington: Statements by US President-elect Donald Trump that he intends to demand the return of the Panama Canal to the US ownership could push third countries to rapprochement with China and Russia, US Senator Ben Cardin believes.

Trump said on December 22 that he would demand the rapid return of the Panama Canal to American ownership due to high fees for passage through it. The politician emphasised that the Panama Canal was critically important for US trade, as well as for the rapid deployment of US naval forces in the Atlantic and the Pacific.

“I don’t know what the president-elect is saying in regards to how sincere he is, but I can tell you, it does raise questions globally as to whether we’re a reliable partner,” the Democratic senator told ABC News. “And it really feeds into Russia and China appeal to other countries as to whether they need to make alliances with — with Russia and China, whether America will be there for them globally.”

During his last term, Trump threatened to withdraw the United States from NATO, which provoked doubts among partner countries about whether Washington could be relied upon, Cardin noted.

The Panamanian president previously called Trump’s comments a display of gross historical ignorance. He said the Panama Canal was fully owned by the state based on a 1977 treaty, and the country’s sovereignty was not negotiable.

The full transfer of the canal to Panama was completed on December 31, 1999, based on the Torrijos-Carter Treaty of 1977, he recalled. It provided, in particular, for the dissolution of the former Canal Zone, recognition of Panama’s sovereignty and the complete transfer of the canal to it.

Related articles

SC directs petitioners to approach High Courts in control of Hindu temple cases

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed petitioners challenging the constitutional validity of various Hindu Religious Endowments...

Cong slams AAP over CAG report on prevention of vehicular air pollution in Delhi

New Delhi: Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav has slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after Chief Minister Rekha...

Assam CM launches women entrepreneurship scheme

Dispur: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMMUA), a scheme...

Stalin seeks audience with PM to lead TN MPs delegation on delimitation row

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin on Wednesday sought an appointment with Prime...