The Panama Canal as a “stumbling block” between the U.S. and China: maintaining the global order benefits both autocracies and democracies

At the end of December, the Trump team enters the final stage of formulating the presidential action plan, focusing on strengthening the protection of the US internal perimeter, especially in the surrounding regions.

Panama was in the spotlight, as Trump repeatedly stated in December 2024 that the Panama Canal’s status needed to be revised.

The US President-elect emphasizes that Panama demands excessive duties for the use of the canal and actually allows control by China, which, in his view, requires an urgent response from Washington.