During a recent Senate Committee hearing on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the topic of President Trump’s proposal to “take back” the Panama Canal for the US was hotly debated. The Panama Canal, a 51-mile stretch of waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, has long been a crucial route for commercial shipping, saving valuable time and avoiding hazardous routes around South America.
The canal’s history dates back to the late 19th century when a French attempt to construct the canal was abandoned in 1889. The United States took over the project in 1904 and successfully completed the construction in 1913, marking a significant engineering achievement of the time. The canal officially opened to traffic on August 15, 1914, with the SS Ancon becoming the first ship to cross from one ocean to the other.
President Trump’s interest in the Panama Canal has sparked discussions on the potential implications of reclaiming control of the waterway for the US. Supporters argue that it could bring strategic and economic advantages, while critics question the feasibility and necessity of such a move.
As the debate on the Panama Canal proposal continues to unfold, the world watches closely to see how this historic waterway will shape the future of global trade and relations.
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Video “LIVE: President Trump's Panama Canal proposal debated in Senate” was uploaded on 01/28/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times