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The Panama Canal, completed in 1914, serves as a significant conduit for international maritime trade, enabling vessels to traverse between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without navigating the lengthy route around South America. Without it, shipping times from New York to Los Angeles would nearly double, increasing logistical costs significantly.
Trump summoned this historical context in his statements, asserting that its turnover to Panama lacked consideration for the broader implications on U.S. and global trade. He expressed dissatisfaction with the fees imposed by Panama on American ships and warned the Panamanian government to adjust their charges, emphasizing what he considered unfair treatment.