The United States said Wednesday that its government vessels would sail for free through the Panama Canal following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump, but authorities at the waterway swiftly issued a denial.
“US government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees, saving the US government millions of dollars a year,” the State Department said in a post on social media platform X.
It was the first public announcement of promises hinted at by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that Panama offered concessions during his talks on Sunday.
The Panama Canal Authority, the agency that runs the vital link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, said no agreement had been reached.
“The Panama Canal Authority, which is empowered to set tolls and other fees for transiting the canal, reports that it has not made any adjustments to them,” the agency said in a statement.
It said it was still ready to hold a dialogue with US authorities.
Rubio said he had told Panama that it was unfair for the United States to be in a position to defend the vital waterway and also to be charged for its use.
US government vessels – which would be primarily from the navy – make up a small portion of the ships that go through the canal.
Aircraft carriers are too large to sail through the canal and must make the far longer journey around South America through the Strait of Magellan.
The United States and Panama are scheduled to hold new talks on Friday to discuss the canal.
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“eggs are also now free as you can simply walk out the store without paying, saving you dozens of dollars per week!”
Well. $40k in eggs were just stolen out of the back of a truck so, technically, yes.
damn, stole a whole dozen
Panama should refuse passage to all US-flagged ships.
Commercial shipping uses “cheap” flags like Panama, Malta, Cyprus, etc.
Is this the 5th war front the US wants to open up?
It’s part of the con. It’s a loud and glittering display of force that is meant to make even the non believers in Trump, Believe. Muzzle velocity. Shock and Awe. Whatever you want to call it.
There’s a reason congress is quiet. There’s also a reason none of the orders are congressional bills (good odds he would lose). There’s a reason he’s punching out at other countries like Canada, Denmark, and Panama. It’s to display the executive branch as THE unequivocal authority. The only authority within our federal government that matters. King George III would be impressed, because it’s working, at least, it is if more mainstream social media is to be believed.
But belief is all that’s needed to make it so.
Checks and balances only work if the other branches are willing to check or balance and they’re not. The US Constitution may as well be in flames right now. And no one else is doing anything. My partner went to a “protest” in a fit of frustrated angst after the treasury news. Roughly 1,000 people stood around with signs, or simply stood around, and didn’t talk to one another. If that’s all we’ve got, then this is the end of the USA.
It’s an interesting strategy… most likely the US can’t fight them all, but do you really want to take the risk that your front is the one they’ll decide to go for?
🍊 🤡 is looking for pretext to start a takeover
bully
