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The Global Story
Why does Trump want the Panama Canal?
Jan 28, 2025
Julie Green, a Professor of American Studies, and Michelle Fleury, BBC's North America business correspondent, dive deep into the Panama Canal's storied past and its recent resurgence in U.S. political discourse. They discuss Trump’s ambitions to reclaim the canal, viewed as a strategic move against China's growing influence. Green highlights the engineering marvel behind the canal, while Fleury analyzes the economic implications and rising transit fees that are reshaping U.S.-Panama relations.
22:04
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Quick takeaways
- The historical control of the Panama Canal by the U.S. reflects ongoing tensions regarding sovereignty and national identity in Panama.
- Trump's focus on reclaiming the Panama Canal underscores geopolitical anxieties about Chinese influence in Latin America and its economic implications.
Deep dives
The History of the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal, a monumental engineering feat, was envisioned long before its construction, with the first attempts occurring in the 1880s under French leadership, notably by Ferdinand de Lesseps, who had previously built the Suez Canal. This initial French effort ended in failure, marked by mismanagement and a staggering loss of life due to disease, resulting in over 20,000 deaths. Following the cessation of French efforts, the United States took over the project in the early 1900s, successfully leveraging advancements in medical and engineering knowledge to combat yellow fever and malaria while constructing crucial infrastructure to support the workforce. The U.S. efforts culminated in the canal's completion in 1914, significantly altering global trade routes and setting the stage for ongoing discussions about control and sovereignty in the region.
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Discover
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