Donald Trump goes light on China on Day 1, except where the Panama Canal is concerned
In his inaugural address, the US president also discusses tariffs generally but does not specifically target Beijing
China got only one mention in US President Donald Trump’s inaugural address on Monday, but the comment was threatening – especially to a country much closer to America.
Suggesting that China’s operations in the Panama Canal constituted a degree of ownership of the Central American waterway, Trump asserted that Panama – the country it runs through – violated the treaty that transferred the canal to it.
In his address, Trump also warned generally of tariffs and the need to protect American workers, a line of attack that usually involves China. But he did so without mentioning the country or any specifics on punitive levies.
Trump’s ambition for the US to regain control of the Panama Canal is an idea he has repeatedly turned to after winning re-election in November.
Panama had violated “the purpose of our deal and the spirit” of the treaty that gave title to the canal and US ships were being “severely overcharged”, he said on Monday – adding that China is the one profiting the most there.
“And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
