Trump reignites Panama Canal row during inauguration: Were taking it back

President Trump on Monday doubled down on his commitment to expand US territory, promising to take back the Panama Canal.Trump, re-upping a post-election promise, decried the US’s decision to give the Canal Zone back to the Republic of Panama, accusing the linchpin country between Central and South America of treating America unfairly since then.“President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs … and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama,” Trump, 78, lamented during his inagural speech in the Capitol Rotunda in DC.Trump recalled how the US pumped money into the construction of the canal, which former President Jimmy Carter handed back to Panama in 1977, and contended, “We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made.“Panama’s promise to us has been broken,” Trump said.“The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated.

American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form,” he added, accusing China of “operating the Panama Canal.”“We didn’t give it to China.We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”Trump also boasted in his speech about his plans to rechristen the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, quickly fired back at Trump over the canal, as he has during the 47th president’s past public musings.“I must comprehensively reject the words outlined by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal in his inaugural address,” Mulino said in a statement, according to a translation.“There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration.

The Canal was not a concession from anyone.It was the result of generational struggles,” he said.

“We will exercise the right that protects us.”Trump did not elabo...