GOP Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Repurchase Panama Canal As Trump Seeks To Take Control Of The Key Route

A recent push by President-elect Donald Trump for the U.S, reclaim the Panama Canal has inspired Republican lawmakers to draft a legislation aimed at making it a reality. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), chair of the Republican Main Street Caucus, introduced the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, which would authorize the federal government to negotiate buying back the canal from Panama.

The U.S. originally controlled the Panama Canal between the moment of its construction in 1914 until 1977, when President Jimmy Carter transferred it to Panama. Trump's proposal adds to his suggestions of also purchasing Greenland and absorbing Canada.

Johnson's two-page bill has 15 Republican co-sponsors, including Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), Axios reported. The bill has yet to gain bipartisan support, though some Democrats have signaled a willingness to consider measures that counter China's growing influence in the region, the outlet added.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) called U.S. reassertion in the canal a "strategic issue," though he dismissed the notion of military action to achieve such goals. Trump, in turn, refused to rule out the use of military force to achieve the goal.

While some Republicans are embracing Trump's rhetoric, others are more cautious. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) emphasized "working diplomatically" with Panama instead of pursuing aggressive measures. Meanwhile, Senate leaders John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) expressed interest in hearing more details from Trump about his plans.

This is the second proposal tied to Trump's foreign policy comments this week. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has announced plans to introduce a bill renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," in line with the proposal launched by Trump.

"President Trump's second term is off to a GREAT start. I'll be introducing legislation ASAP to officially change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America!" the lawmaker said in a publication on X. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in turn, said the country could start calling the U.S. "America Mexicana."

Trump's ideas have sparked intrigue and debate across party lines. Some Democrats, like Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), have compared such proposals to historical land acquisitions, while others, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), criticized them as distractions from pressing domestic issues, citing rising costs in the US.

This week, in a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump said he would not rule out using military or economic coercion to acquire Greenland, a territory that belongs to Denmark, and the Panama Canal, and vowed to bring Canada to heel. He also called the border with the United States' northern neighbor an "artificially drawn line."

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has remained silent about the matter, which is sending shockwaves through the geopolitical world before the Republican takes office later this month. Greenland is also a part of NATO through its links with Denmark even if it's not part of the European Union.