House GOP Backs Trump’s Vision for Panama Canal

EXCLUSIVE: In a surprising move that signals a significant shift in foreign policy discussions within the Republican Party, House Republican leadership is urging lawmakers to support President Donald Trump‘s ambition to reclaim the Panama Canal for U.S. ownership, according to a recently circulated memo.

The Memo Unveiled

The House GOP Policy Committee, chaired by Kevin Hern, R-Okla., sent the two-page document titled “Panama Canal” to legislative directors across the conference on Wednesday. The memo encapsulates the former president’s stance on the canal, particularly his past remarks regarding China’s growing influence over this strategic waterway and his expressed desire to “take it back.”

Context and Historical Background

Providing historical context, the memo emphasizes that the Panama Canal was built by the United States from 1904 to 1914 and was managed under a lease agreement for nearly 75 years, facilitated by the Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903. This treaty established the Panama Canal Zone, which paved the way for the canal’s construction.

However, the memo points to a pivotal moment in history when former President Jimmy Carter signed treaties in the late 1970s, transferring control of the canal to Panama. These treaties, which have faced scrutiny from Trump and his supporters, included provisions that granted the U.S. the right to intervene to guarantee the canal’s accessibility for vessels of all nations.

Concerns Over Panama’s Compliance

According to the memo, Republicans contend that Panama has not upheld its end of the agreements made under Carter’s administration. The memo articulates that as approximately 5% of global maritime traffic traverses the canal—allowing ships to save around 6,835 miles on sea voyages—it is vital for U.S. interests.

The U.S. stands as Panama’s largest foreign investor, contributing around .8 billion annually, a point that amplifies the case for U.S. involvement in the canal’s operations. However, the memo warns of alarming developments: “Chinese companies now operate ports at both ends of the canal, and various Chinese construction firms financed a .4 billion bridge project spanning the canal in 2018,” it states.

Legal Basis for Action

The memo further elaborates on the treaties’ requirements that transit fees be “just, reasonable, equitable, and consistent with international law,” and that the canal maintain its long-standing status of neutrality. It suggests that current high fees imposed by Panama and the country’s dealings with the Chinese Communist Party likely breach these agreements.

GOP Legislative Moves

Congress has historically granted considerable authority to the president regarding international commerce, especially in emergency contexts. However, GOP lawmakers are signaling a desire to widen these powers even further. In a display of support for Trump’s ambitions, Main Street Caucus Chairman Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., has introduced new legislation to facilitate the potential re-purchase of the Panama Canal.

Additionally, freshman Representative Riley Moore from West Virginia has put forth a proposal to expand Trump’s non-emergency tariff authority. Not stopping there, Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee currently has a bill aimed at granting Trump the ability to negotiate the purchase of Greenland, underscoring a broader theme of revisiting previous U.S. territorial losses.

Political Implications

The significance of Hern’s memo cannot be understated; it serves as a subtle directive for GOP lawmakers to align with Trump’s vision of reclaiming the Panama Canal. This subtle encouragement may embolden Republican legislators to explore various legislative avenues to further support Trump’s proposal, especially considering the negative stance taken by the Panamanian government regarding such a move.

The looming question remains: what implications would a U.S.-led reclaiming of the canal have on U.S.-Panama relations, as well as on Panama’s sovereignty? As the situation continues to evolve, the response from both sides will be pivotal in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Central America.

Conclusion: Future of the Panama Canal

The ongoing discourse surrounding the Panama Canal reflects a broader narrative within the GOP aligned closely with Trump’s foreign policy ambitions. As political dynamics shift, and with key players like Secretary of State Marco Rubio starting his tenure with a visit to Panama, the next steps will undoubtedly attract attention and controversy and could redefine U.S. engagement in the region.