How can Panama satisfy President Trump?
The Inquiry
BBC
4.6 • 1.7K Ratings
🗓️ 11 February 2025
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The Panama Canal, a crucial artery for global trade, is at the centre of growing tensions between the United States and China. Donald Trump has claimed that Chinese companies exert undue influence over the waterway, accusing Panama of overcharging US businesses. But does the US still have a legitimate stake in the canal?
With Trump demanding action, Panama faces a difficult choice. Could a renegotiation of tolls or a review of Chinese port contracts ease US concerns?
Contributors: Will Freeman, Fellow for Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations Andrew Thomas, Academic and Author of The Canal of Panama and Globalisation Dr Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House David Young, President of the Committee for Economic Development
Presented by Gary O’Donoghue Produced by Louise Clarke Researched by Katie Morgan Technical producer Matthew Dempsey Production Coordinator Liam Morrey Editor Tara McDermott
Image credit: Getty Images via MARTIN BERNETTI
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | 11 climbers appeared to have died on the world's second highest mountain K2. |
| 0:06.4 | It was one of the deadliest days in mountaineering history. |
| 0:09.9 | Rock falls, avalanches. |
| 0:11.6 | Huge pieces of ice. |
| 0:12.9 | All are big enough to kill you. |
| 0:14.3 | He just flew out into Devoid, and he was gone. |
| 0:17.3 | How did it all go so wrong? |
| 0:19.2 | And is it really worth risking death to feel alive? Why would somebody |
| 0:23.5 | pay to go to a place called the death zone on vacation? Extreme, peak danger with me, Natalia |
| 0:30.3 | Melman Petrazella. Listen to the full series now. First on BBC Sounds. Welcome to the inquiry with me |
| 0:37.0 | Gary O'Donohue, one question, four expert |
| 0:40.7 | witnesses and an answer. At 51 miles long, the Panama Canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific |
| 0:51.4 | oceans is a vital artery for the global economy. |
| 0:55.8 | Originally built with American money more than 100 years ago, |
| 1:00.0 | it's now owned and run by the Panamanian government. |
| 1:03.5 | But Donald Trump says that must change. |
| 1:06.6 | China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, |
| 1:13.1 | and we're taking it back. President Trump believes Chinese companies, and through them the government |
| 1:18.2 | in Beijing, have taken control of the canal and pose a strategic threat to the United States |
| 1:23.8 | right in America's backyard. He also says Panama is ripping off American business |
| 1:30.1 | with rising charges to use the waterway. He's refused to rule out the use of military |
| 1:35.9 | or economic coercion to take it back. |
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