October 23, 2026,
“Billionaires have achieved their wealth not by accident or inheritance, but by providing services and products that people use. Billionaires also provide employment for millions of people.” Self
The Trump Administration is right about protecting the Panama Canal. The US. ambassador to Panama is Kevin Cabrera. See his picture below. Cabrera’s family is from Cuba.
According to Ambassador Cabrera “the Panama Canal is the most important infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere.” The world’s economy depends on the Panama Canal. Last year, 13,000+ ships traveled through the Panama Canal carrying about $270 billion in cargo. See map below.
The US built the canal the early 1900’s at a cost of $375 million (today’s $$’s would be $10-$14 billion). President Carter gave the canal to Panama in 1999. Ugh! Panama has no military.
Trump removed the Chinese from operating the canal. Prior to Trump, the Chinese were in charge of the front end and the back end of the canal. It was alleged that the Chinese were using the canal for surveillance and espionage. Drug gangs were also involved in Panama, using the canal and surrounding country for smuggling.
I like the proactive approach by the Trump administration. Sadly, previous presidents wait until there is a global crisis before acting. The Panama Canal is too important to the global economy to let fall into Chinese and/or drug gang control.
Interestingly, ships pay $30,000 to $300,000 to use the canal depending on the ship type and size.
Images provided by Google
