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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Helen Davidson and agencies

Trump says China is ‘operating’ the Panama canal – here are the facts

A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara locks of the Panama Canal in September 2024.
A cargo ship traverses the Agua Clara locks of the Panama Canal in September 2024. Donald Trump has complained about the extent of China’s influence over the strategic channel. Photograph: Matias Delacroix/AP

Donald Trump has repeatedly complained about the Panama canal and the fees being charged, calling the vital transport corridor a “foolish gift [to Panama] that should never have been made” and threatening to take it back.

But he has also repeatedly accused China of being in control of it. At his inauguration Trump claimed without providing evidence that “China is operating the Panama canal and we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we’re taking it back.”

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