President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. military to prepare plans to “reclaim” the Panama Canal, including through the use of force, if necessary.
Two U.S. officials who spoke with NBC News said U.S. Southern Command is developing plans ranging from enhancing partnership with the Panamanian security forces to using U.S. troops to seize the famous waterway. The use of force, said the officials, would depend on whether Panamanian security forces would welcome a partnership with the United States.
Trump has promised to reclaim the canal since before he took office. Late last year, then-President-elect Trump said the canal should return to U.S. control if the Panamanian government does not change its management.
In recent months, Trump has raised issues with the fees levied against American ships transiting the canal and China’s growing influence over the waterway. Panama has distanced itself from China, insisting only it has authority over the canal’s future.
Beijing has accused Washington of pressuring Panama to stop aid projects. On Thursday, an editorial in a state-linked newspaper urged Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson to reconsider selling most of its ports business, including Panama Canal assets, to BlackRock in a deal valued at nearly $23 billion.
The opinion piece called the sale a “spineless” move that “disregards national interests” and “betrays and sells out all Chinese people,” per The Telegraph.
Around 200 U.S. troops maintain a presence in Panama, but President Trump wants a visible increase. The officials said Washington could consider positioning troops near Panama. If a war broke out in the region, they say U.S. troops would seize the canal and prevent China from accessing it.
Still, the officials maintain that a war is unlikely. Instead, an increased U.S. military presence in the area will likely suffice to deter foreign influence.