Donald Trump wasn’t expecting this. Congress is preparing to give him a big win.
Because this bill that Congress just introduced could make Donald Trump’s dreams come true.
House Republicans Introduce Bill to Repurchase the Panama Canal Amid Concerns Over Chinese Influence
House Republicans have introduced a bold new legislative measure aimed at addressing concerns raised by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal and its growing ties to China. On Thursday, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a key member of both the Select Committee on China and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, a bill designed to give the United States the authority to negotiate the reacquisition of the Panama Canal.
Johnson expressed strong support for the idea, emphasizing that China’s presence in the region is a growing concern for U.S. national security and global stability. “President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal,” Johnson said in a statement. “China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern. America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe.”
The bill has garnered support from 15 other Republican members of Congress, including prominent names such as Reps. Dan Crenshaw, Randy Weber, Troy Nehls, and Brian Babin from Texas; Mike Collins, Barry Loudermilk, and Andrew Clyde from Georgia; Barry Moore from Alabama; Jack Bergman from Michigan; Mike Rulli from Ohio; Neal Dunn and Aaron Bean from Florida; Erin Houchin from Indiana; Abraham Hamadeh from Arizona; and Mike Lawler from New York.
If passed, the Panama Canal Repurchase Act would grant the U.S. president the authority to coordinate with the Secretary of State to initiate and conduct negotiations with the government of Panama to reacquire the canal. Under the proposed law, the president would have 180 days from enactment to submit a detailed report to Congress on the progress of these negotiations, including challenges and expected outcomes.
The Panama Canal, a critical waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is of immense strategic value to the United States. According to the U.S. Department of State, approximately 72% of all vessels passing through the canal are headed to or coming from U.S. ports. Beyond its role in international trade, the canal is also vital for U.S. military operations, serving as a key transit route for Coast Guard and Department of Defense vessels. Without access to the canal, ships would be forced to take a much longer route around South America, adding an extra 8,000 miles to their journey.
Rep. Johnson’s office highlighted the economic potential of the canal, noting that more than 10,000 ships use it annually, generating billions of dollars in toll revenue that could significantly benefit the U.S. economy. “More than 10,000 ships use the Panama Canal each year, generating billions of dollars of tolls which would economically benefit America,” Johnson’s office stated.
Trump’s Concern Over Chinese Influence
The bill was introduced following comments made by President-elect Trump during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, earlier this week. Trump expressed concern over China’s growing presence around the canal and its implications for U.S. security.
Asked whether he could assure the world that he would not resort to military or economic coercion to regain control of the Panama Canal or Greenland, Trump was firm in his stance. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But, I can say this. We need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for our military,” Trump stated. “Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. It’s being operated by China. China. And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to China. And they’ve abused it. They’ve abused that gift. It should have never been made.”
Trump has long been concerned over the strategic importance of the canal and he’s serious in his belief that the current situation, where Chinese influence is perceived to be growing, is untenable for U.S. interests.
The Panamanian government has denied that China controls the Panama Canal, noting that the canal remains under the sovereign authority of Panama. The United States officially handed over control of the canal to Panama at the end of 1999 under a treaty negotiated by the late President Jimmy Carter. However, concerns over China’s increasing involvement in the region persist.
Johnson’s office pointed to China’s expanding influence in the region, particularly after Panama became the first Latin American country to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2018. Additionally, investments from Chinese firms in the canal’s infrastructure have been growing, and two key ports on either side of the canal are managed by Chinese companies. Hutchison Ports PPC, a Hong Kong-based company, has controlled these ports for decades.
These developments have raised alarms, as Chinese national security laws, which increasingly affect businesses in Hong Kong, could compel Chinese companies to cooperate with Chinese intelligence and military operations.
The Conservative Column will bring you any updates on the Panama Canal news story.
