Outgoing Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) argued President-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments about reclaiming the Panama Canal could impact the United States’s “credibility” on the global stage and help rival countries, including China and Russia.
Trump’s recent demands to have the Panama Canal returned to the U.S. were made due to Panama charging U.S. vessels crossing the vital waterway “exorbitant” passage fees, with the president-elect arguing this “rip-off” by the country needs to end. In assessing Trump’s comments, Cardin stated that Trump’s comments are “serious” due to how they cast doubt among U.S. allies on whether or not the nation is reliable.
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“The Panama Canal obligations were established by a treaty, ratified by Congress, by the U.S. Senate, so I don’t know what the president-elect is saying in regards to how sincere he is, but I can tell you it does raise questions globally as to whether we’re a reliable partner,” Cardin said on ABC News This Week. “And it really feeds into Russia and China’s appeal to other countries as to whether they need to make alliances with Russia and China, whether America will be there for them globally.”
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Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino pushed back against claims made by Trump that Chinese soldiers are “operating the Panama Canal,” stating there is “absolutely no Chinese interference or involvement” with the iconic canal.
On Christmas Day, Trump announced that Kevin Marino Cabrera, the Miami-Dade commissioner, would be the U.S. ambassador to Panama in his administration. The president-elect described Cabrera as “a fierce fighter for America First principles,” adding that “few understand Latin American politics as well as Kevin.”
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During his appearance on ABC News, Cardin also addressed his decision not to seek reelection after serving three six-year terms in the Senate. The outgoing Maryland senator contended that “it was time” for him to give someone else the opportunity to become senator, and that he is “very grateful” for the time given to him. He also spoke out against age limits for senators, as this should be up to each individual person.
Cardin’s seat will be assumed by Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), who defeated former two-term Republican Gov. Larry Hogan last month. Cardin said he was “very happy” with Alsobrooks’s victory, adding that it marks “the right transition.”
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Publish date : 2024-12-29 06:30:00
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