South Dakota Republican Representative Dusty Johnson is expected to introduce a bill on Thursday calling for the United States to repurchase the Panama Canal, following President-elect Donald Trump's ongoing appeals, his office told Newsweek.
"President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal," Johnson said.
Why It Matters
Since his November election win over Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump has demanded the return of the Panama Canal. He has threatened to reclaim the canal for the U.S. if Panama doesn't lower fees charged to U.S. ships. He has stirred controversy by threatening to reclaim the canal, calling the fees charged by Panama "ridiculous" and "highly unfair." Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino dismissed Trump's threat as "nonsense" and said the canal is and will remain Panamanian.
Trump also alleges Chinese interference in control of the crucial waterway. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China would support Panama in defending the canal's sovereignty.
The United States handed over control of the canal to Panama on December 31, 1999. The transfer was in accordance with the terms of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter, which outlined the gradual transfer of control and operations of the canal from the United States to Panama.
What To Know
Johnson's bill, obtained by Newsweek, is set to be proposed on Thursday.
"The President, acting in co-ordination with the Secretary of State, is authorized to initiate and conduct negotiations with appropriate counterparts of the Government of the Republic of Panama to reacquire the Panama Canal," the bill reads.
Johnson's bill indicates that within 180 days after the act is approved, the president must submit a report to Congress "detailing the progress of the negotiations."
The canal is a critical artificial waterway in Central America that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, significantly reducing maritime travel time for global shipping. Completed in 1914 by the United States, it covers about 50 miles through the Isthmus of Panama.
In a press conference Trump hosted on Tuesday, he said he wouldn't rule out the possibly of using the American military to secure the canal.
"The Panama Canal is vital to our country. It's being operated by China. China! We gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn't give it to China. And they abused that gift," Trump said.
Trump's Other Global Plans
Trump also said on Tuesday that he will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which he said, "has a beautiful ring" to it "because we do most of the work there and it's ours."
Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is reportedly drafting a bill to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter, by Washington Examiner journalist Cami Mondeaux.
Trump has also suggested that the United States should buy Greenland, an autonomous territory that has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years. His push for Greenland aligns with his America First policy, which has increasingly focused on securing critical resources and asserting U.S. dominance over Canada and the Panama Canal.
On Monday, Trump posted a video to his social media platform Truth Social that showed a convicted drug dealer in Greenland saying that he would tell Trump to "buy Greenland because we don't want to be colonized by Danish government anymore."
On Tuesday, Donald Trump Jr. was in Greenland. A source familiar with the trip told Newsweek on Monday that Trump Jr., 46, has no meetings scheduled with the Greenlandic government and that he is there for a "quick day-long trip to shoot some fun video content for a podcast."
Danish Parliament politician Rasmus Jarlov told CNN on Wednesday that the country's representatives are a "bit shocked" by Trump's suggestions ut that his country wants to keep "good relations with the United States."
Trump has also said that "maybe Canada should become the 51st state" when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told him his proposed tariffs would "kill the Canadian economy." Trudeau has since announced his resignation.
What People Are Saying
Representative Dusty Johnson told Newsweek: "China's interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern. 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."
President-elect Donald Trump in a press conference Tuesday: "Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. It's being operated by China, China. And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn't give it to China."
The progressive Call to Activism account on X, formerly Twitter: "Donald Trump says he can't assure the world he won't use military force to take over Greenland or the Panama Canal. Greenland is a territory owned by Denmark. This is one of the dumbest and most dangerous things Trump has ever said."
What Happens Next
Congress will be in session on Thursday.
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