House Republican bill would pave way for Trump to acquire Panama Canal for US
Source: The hill
by Emily Brooks - 01/08/25 3:15 PM ET
Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) will introduce a bill that would authorize the president to purchase the Panama Canal and put it under U.S. control, an acquisition that President-elect Trump has been pushing over the last several weeks.
........
“President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal. China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern,” Johnson said in a statement. “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 would authorize the president, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to “initiate and conduct negotiations with appropriate counterparts of the Government of the Republic of Panama to reacquire the Panama Canal” according to draft text shared with The Hill.
Trump in December had complained about the deal signed by former President Carter, saying that he “foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar.” That is an apparent reference to the symbolic sale of the canal that was accompanied by numerous other provisions in the Carter-Torrijos Treaties signed in 1977 that transferred control of the canal to Panama. An initial draft of Johnson’s bill authorized re-acquisition of the canal for the symbolic amount of $1.................................
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5074775-republican-bill-panama-canal-trump-purchase/
Given Trump will be involved--it will include threats. Plus money talks--when countries are in need of money.

Docreed2003
(18,131 posts)Doesn't make it happen.
This is performative BS in service to Trump
Irish_Dem
(67,417 posts)I thought the US was so broke Musk has to cut $1 Trillion in services.
Dan
(4,516 posts)Does anyone in America consider what the people/government of Panama wants?
If we Force our way and acquire the Panama Canal - how do you plan to defend it?
It may be a small Country but they have a lot of pride.
DBoon
(23,631 posts)doesn't mean you can rule that country against the wishes of its people
bucolic_frolic
(49,604 posts)Trump is doing it for you!
no_hypocrisy
(51,026 posts)bucolic_frolic
(49,604 posts)Good to know you've contributed too!
Bernardo de La Paz
(54,124 posts)All three dumber than a bag of hammers.
paleotn
(20,223 posts)Congress critters routinely come up with crazy ass bills of various sorts. Only surpassed by even nuttier state legislators. Few ever see the light of day.
4catsmom
(623 posts)but this Congress is a true looney bin and this may be their normal.
Autumn
(47,636 posts)from his addled brain. Same with Canada and Greenland.
kimbutgar
(24,726 posts)What could go wrong?????
NotHardly
(2,049 posts)DavidDvorkin
(20,118 posts)He's already talking about starting a few.
endgenocide
(166 posts)4catsmom
(623 posts)Or is Panama going to pay for it, just like Mexico paid for the wall (NOT). this is some sick need to compare himself to Carter or something? Or is he still trying to get back at Panama for taking his shoddy real estate?
PSPS
(14,424 posts)Putin is trying to reassemble the Soviet Union. Trump wants to assemble his own little colonial empire to impress putin and other dictators for whom he's already slavishly expressed his admiration. He thinks it will make him part of another "exclusive club" to show up those who rejected him in Queens.
I didn't see it on Zillow or Redfin, so I think Trump is out of luck. -
mahina
(19,664 posts)This and the Greenland craziness is exactly the kind of stuff they would think of
PortTack
(35,477 posts)BidenRocks
(1,282 posts)We didn't have airlift.
Besides, you cannot put a Ford class carrier through.
Trump will have NATO attack us.
I support NATO.
slightlv
(5,259 posts)to hubby and friends I expect (and actually hope) a friendly (former) ally of ours for democracy will do what's necessary for "Regime Change" as most repubs call it when it happens in the Middle East.
IronLionZion
(48,343 posts)Where are they getting this money from? The same way Mexico paid for the wall and China paid for tariffs?
Sailingdiver
(221 posts)Is the cult really this incredibly stupid?
Ray Bruns
(5,106 posts)Bluetus
(896 posts)China could give Panama $100B of the nearly $1T dollars of US debt that China holds.
keithbvadu2
(40,915 posts)Give his three sons some high power hunting rifles to go guard the canal.
Linda ladeewolf
(819 posts)From what he is really planning to do. How much is bullshit to cover other dastardly deeds? Bait and switch.
brush
(59,438 posts)Who is responsible for that? And I suppose the other oceans have their own levels too.
Somebody screwed up BIGLY.
Old Crank
(5,484 posts)But just the space between the walls.