Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz called President-elect Donald Trump's recent calls to seize control of the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland "preposterous carnival barker threats," The Hill reported.
During a Thursday appearance on CNN, the Florida Democrat rejected Trump's suggestions about reclaiming control of the Panama Canal.
"It is utterly preposterous to suggest that we are going to send our military into Panama to, quote, 'take back the Panama Canal,'" Wasserman Schultz said.
"We have a treaty with Panama. We have a free trade agreement with Panama.
"We are no more going to take back the Panama Canal than Panama is going to come in and try to take the Mississippi River from us," she said.
Trump posted on Truth Social last week: "... When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else. It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its Navy, and corporations, doing business within our Country, exorbitant prices and rates of passage. Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete “rip-off” of our Country will immediately stop…."
Wasserman Schultz said, "What Donald Trump is really trying to do here is try to get better fees for passage for his corporate and billionaire allies. That's what this boils down to. And it's preposterous."
In another post on Truth Social Trump wrote: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."
Both Panamanian and Greenlandic officials have opposed these suggestions.
Wasserman Schultz also questioned Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to Panama, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera, characterizing him as a candidate with a "scant resume" who "worships" the former president.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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