US President Donald Trump speaks during a speech to a joint session of the Congress in the US Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2025.
Mandel I | By Reuters
President Donald Trump On Tuesday, he advertised the American company management company Blackrock 'S deal is to buy two ports of the Panama Canal as Positive step In its wider effort in the “recovery” of the United States channel.
IN Common address For Congress, Trump said that his administration “has already started” working on controlling the channel, which connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Oceans.
“It is today that a large American company has announced that it is buying both ports around the Panama Canal,” said Trump, referring to agreement Between the investment group led by Blackrock and Hong Kong's CK Hutchison.
The agreement of the Chinese company in Panama was previously awarded by American legislators as an example of the creeping Beijing expansion to Central and South America.
Blackrock spokesman did not immediately answer at the request for a comment early Wednesday.
“The Panama Canal was built by Americans, for Americans, not for others, but others could use it,” said Trump in the US Capitol, adding that “it was built at the huge costs of American blood and treasures.”
The Blackrock agreement for the acquisition of two ports took place when the Trump administration is actively looking for new ways for Washington and American companies to help counteract China's presence in the region.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurt Vasquez Tour The Miraflores blocks in the Panama channel in Panama, February 2, 2025.
Mark Schiefelbein By Reuters
Panama obtained control over the channel only in 1999, more than 20 years after the then President Jimmy Carter signed the treaty in 1977, who granted Panama a final control over the key waterway.
“This agreement was seriously violated,” said Trump in his speech on Tuesday. “We didn't give him China. We gave him Panamie. We recover it back. “
Administration efforts aimed at “recovering” control over the Panama Canal are directed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubiowho participated in the address of Trump and received shouts when the president confirmed his role in the project of the Panama Canal.
“Good luck, Marco,” Trump said, half jokingly. “Now we know who to blame if something goes wrong.”