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This point of view comes from China’s Global Post and can be assumed to represent the views of the Chinese government.
President-elect Donald Trump recently suggested the US might take back control of the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of overcharging for shipping.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino dismissed these remarks as “nonsense,” firmly stating, “The canal is Panamanian and belongs to Panamanians. There’s no possibility of opening any conversation around this reality,” according to the BBC.
The Panama Canal symbolizes Panama’s sovereignty and pride. Since gaining control in 1999, Panama has managed the canal efficiently, proving its ability to oversee its own affairs.
Trump’s remarks overlook this history and the global consensus that the canal is rightfully Panamanian. His rhetoric reflects outdated ideas of US dominance over smaller nations.
The canal is more than an economic asset; it represents national independence and self-governance. The suggestion of US control echoes a past era of colonial-style dominance, out of step with modern values of respect for sovereignty and multilateral cooperation.
Trump’s comments align with his “America First” agenda but clash with the realities of today’s interconnected world.
Attempts to revive US hegemony under the guise of national greatness, or “MAGA,” are both unfeasible and contrary to international norms. President Mulino’s strong response emphasizes that smaller nations like Panama now command respect on the global stage, not through force but by asserting their rights within an evolved international system.
Editor’s note: There is certainly much to be said for this point of view, considering that workers from all over the Caribbean worked on building the Panama Canal, during which many lost their lives.
The construction of the Panama Canal claimed the lives of approximately 27,600 workers. This includes deaths from the initial French effort (1881–1889), which accounted for around 22,000 fatalities, and the subsequent American effort (1904–1914), during which about 5,600 workers died. The majority of these deaths were due to diseases like yellow fever and malaria, as well as accidents and harsh working conditions.
Most of the workers who built the Panama Canal came from the Caribbean, particularly islands like Barbados, Jamaica, and other West Indian nations. These laborers formed the majority of the workforce, especially during the American construction phase.
The Caribbean workers played a crucial role but faced difficult conditions, low wages, and systemic racial discrimination.
Source: Global Times.
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