Today is the third day of Donald Trump in the White House. The second mandate of the president of the United States has been surrounded by executive orders that have had global repercussions, More than anything for the uncertainty of their statements and the effect it can cause on other nations.
On January 20, on the day of his investiture, Trump said that the United States would recover the Panama Canal, a statement that caused a stir and concern not only to the Central American country, but to other nations that depend on it for maritime transport.
You can read: Trump and his idea of taking the Panama Canal, is it viable?
Trump said the channel administration imposes high costs to US companies and is operated “Illegally by Chinese firms.” In response, Panamanian President Jose Raúl Mulino said the channel is and will continue to be from the Central American country. It was also announced that Panama Ports Company, controlled by the Chinese conglomerate CK Hutchison Holding, will be audited.
The importance of the Panama Canal is worldwide. ECLAC ensures that it unites the continent, while optimizing world trade: it shortens distances between producing countries and consumers.
Last year they registered 423 million tons that crossed it, for this year it is estimated that tons will reach more than 520 million. “Our financial strategies are complemented with environmental initiatives to guarantee the sustainability of the channel in the future. This approach ensures our operational resilience and strengthens our financial position to face the new era of investments, ”says the channel administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales.
Find out: the channel “will remain from Panama”: President Mulino responds to Donald Trump
The main countries by millions of tons mobilized for the concept of origin and destination are the United States and China, countries that last year registered 160.1 and 45.04 tons, respectively. The North American country represents 74.7% of what is transported by the channel, while China 21.4%. Japan and South Korea continue in the list with 14.6% and 9.3%. The South American nations are also relevant: Chile is in the ranking with 8.3%, followed by Mexico with 8.2%. There is also Peru (7.5%); Ecuador; (6.3%); Colombia (4.8%); and Panama (4.7%).
The main goods that Panama are going through are mineral coal, The containing load, oil and its derivatives, chemicals, in addition to grains (oats, corn, soy, rice).
The most important routes that connect the channel are between the east coast of the United States with Asia and the west coast of South America. The connection of Europe and the west coast of South America and the east coast of the United States with the west coast of Central America must also be highlighted.
The channel had to face a difficult situation last year in the midst of the drought that affected the region, which led him to implement adjustments to the draft and the transit of ships to guarantee the necessary water resources for its operation. “Despite the challenges imposed by the phenomenon El Niño in 2024 The Panama Canal has demonstrated a notable resilience, thanks to the work of its workforce. ”
The commercial importance of the channel
The economic growth that Panama has experienced, compared to other nations in the region, It is largely due to the operation of the channel and the income generated for the country’s government.
See also: Taxes to foreigners, take from the Panama Canal, Energy Emergency and Flag of US
It is important to remember that it was first administered by the United States since its inauguration in 1914. However, the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty, of 1977, stipulated that the North American country would totally yield the administration of the channel to the Central American nation on 31 December 1999. Its operation and maintenance have also depended 100% of Panama since 2000.
These facts are necessary to understand Trump’s threats about the recovery of the channel, as he affirms that he always belonged To the United States and has considered that the signing of the treaties was a folly at the time.
IDB Invest ensures that the income generated for the Panamanian government, product of dividends, has allowed the country to capitalize on its geographical position, which has established it as a key logistics and commercial center for world trade. It is also an important financial epicenter. The channel contributes 7.7% to GDP and 15.9% of total annual exports. “23.6% of government annual income is explained by the total contribution of the channel activity, Being the dividends received the most relevant source of public income, ”says Bid Invest.
It is estimated that the activity of the channel in the future could be increased, with a variation of 5.78% in exportsas well as an increase in the use of more than 2.12%. Between 2023 and 2030, public income is expected, due to maritime services, it will be 8.26% between 2023 and 2030.
The importance of the channel is explained by the previous figures. Therefore, Trump’s announcement has caused so many reactions. His announcement is cataloged as another of his expansionist agenda, which he has publicly expressed for weeks. Among the ads is also the possible purchase of Greenland and an alleged annexation of Canada.
Experts, however, do not see that it is viable to recover the Panama Canal. International treaties are robust and are protected by democratic countries and justice systems related to foreign trade.
For now, Panama assures that he will make an audit to a Chinese company that operates on the channel, in order to review If there are irregularities, which is one of the main claims of the newly possessed president of the United States.
(Tagstotranslate) News The Colombian
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