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On Thursday, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) voiced strong disapproval of President-elect Trump’s assertions that the U.S. should reclaim control of the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland.
During her CNN appearance, she remarked, “It is utterly preposterous to suggest that we are going to send our military into Panama to, quote, ‘take back the Panama Canal.’”
Wasserman Schultz emphasized the existing diplomatic relations by stating, “We have a treaty with Panama. We have a free trade agreement with Panama.”
She further illustrated the absurdity of Trump’s comments by comparing the situation: “We are no more going to take back the Panama Canal than Panama is going to come in and try to take the Mississippi River from us.”
In recent days, Trump has consistently argued that the U.S. should regain control of the Panama Canal, which has been under Panamanian authority since the 1970s. He has criticized the fees imposed by Panama, claiming they are “exorbitant” and that the U.S. is “being ripped off.”
Trump expressed his views on Truth Social, stating, “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S.”
Additionally, Trump has labeled the acquisition of Greenland as “an absolute necessity” for the United States, prompting strong pushback from officials in both Panama and Greenland. Wasserman Schultz dismissed his statements about these territories as “ridiculous carnival barker threats.”
She contended that Trump’s proposals for fair pricing regarding the Panama Canal would primarily benefit wealthy individuals within his network. “What Donald Trump is really trying to do here is try to get better fees for passage for his corporate and billionaire allies,” she asserted. “That’s what this boils down to. And it’s preposterous.”
Wasserman Schultz also criticized Trump’s choice for U.S. ambassador to Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, who serves as a Miami-Dade County Commissioner. She described Cabrera as another nominee with a “scant resume” who “worships” the former president.
