Trump’s Bold Move: U.S. Military Ordered to Plan Panama Canal Takeover Amid Global Tensions

• The White House, under President Donald Trump, has directed the U.S. military to develop strategies to "reclaim" the Panama Canal, raising international eyebrows and sparking debate over sovereignty and U.S. foreign policy.

• This controversial order comes amidst heightened U.S.-China rivalry, with Trump citing national security concerns, despite the canal being under Panamanian control since 1999 and no evidence of direct Chinese operation.

In a stunning escalation of U.S. foreign policy, President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. military to formulate plans to "reclaim" the Panama Canal, a critical global shipping route currently managed by Panama. This directive, reported by NBC News, follows Trump’s recent statements during his joint address to Congress, where he emphasized the canal’s importance to U.S. national security and economic interests. The move has ignited fierce debate, drawing attention to longstanding tensions between the U.S. and Panama, as well as broader geopolitical rivalries, particularly with China.

The Panama Canal, a 50-mile-long waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been under Panamanian control since 1999, following the Torrijos-Carter Treaties ratified in 1978 under President Jimmy Carter. These treaties ended U.S. jurisdiction over the canal, transferring full sovereignty to Panama while ensuring its neutrality and accessibility to all nations. Trump’s assertion that the canal is vital for U.S. security—and his suggestion that it is under threat—has been met with skepticism and outright rejection from Panamanian officials, who have repeatedly affirmed their nation’s ownership and operation of the canal through the Panama Canal Authority.

At the heart of Trump’s concern appears to be the perceived influence of China over the canal, a claim that lacks direct evidence but aligns with his broader narrative of countering Chinese global dominance. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently visited Panama, delivering a stern message from the Trump administration that China’s presence—through companies like a Hong Kong-based firm operating ports near the canal—poses a threat to U.S. interests and violates the neutrality treaty. Rubio warned that without immediate changes, the U.S. might take "necessary measures," a statement interpreted as leaving the door open for military action.

The White House’s directive to the U.S. military, specifically the U.S. Southern Command, includes exploring a range of options. These range from increased cooperation with Panamanian forces to a more extreme and unlikely scenario: a military intervention to seize control of the canal. According to officials familiar with the planning, the likelihood of an invasion hinges on Panama’s willingness to address U.S. concerns about Chinese involvement. However, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has firmly rejected Trump’s rhetoric, calling it a "lie" and an "affront to the truth and to our dignity as a nation," underscoring Panama’s resolute stance on its sovereignty.

This development comes at a time of heightened U.S.-China tensions, with the Panama Canal serving as a strategic chokepoint for global trade—handling 5% of worldwide maritime traffic and 40% of U.S. container traffic. Trump has repeatedly criticized Panama for what he perceives as a violation of past agreements, pointing to recent investments by Chinese firms and a U.S.-led consortium, including BlackRock, purchasing ports at the canal’s entrances. Critics argue that Trump’s claims exaggerate China’s role, as the canal itself is operated solely by Panamanians, with no direct Chinese control over its operations.

The potential military planning has sparked outrage and concern both domestically and internationally. Analysts warn that any attempt to reclaim the canal could damage U.S. relations with Latin America, undermine decades of diplomatic efforts to respect Panamanian sovereignty, and risk a new conflict in a region historically sensitive to U.S. intervention. Past U.S. military actions in Panama, such as the 1989 invasion to oust dictator Manuel Noriega, remain a sore point for many Panamanians, fueling fears of renewed aggression.

Trump’s order also raises legal and ethical questions. The Torrijos-Carter Treaties explicitly grant Panama control of the canal, with the U.S. retaining only the right to defend its neutrality—not to reclaim or operate it. Legal experts argue that any military action would violate international law and treaties, potentially isolating the U.S. on the global stage. Meanwhile, some of Trump’s supporters view the move as a bold assertion of American strength, citing concerns about China’s growing economic footprint in the region.

As the Pentagon reportedly reviews draft strategies, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth scheduled to visit Panama next month, the world watches closely. The outcome of this high-stakes diplomatic and military chess game could reshape U.S.-Panama relations, exacerbate tensions with China, and redefine America’s role in global trade and security. For now, Panama stands firm, asserting its sovereignty, while Trump’s administration doubles down on a vision of reclaiming a strategic asset that has not been American-controlled for over a quarter-century.