Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), outgoing chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Sunday that President-elect Trump’s remarks about Panama have larger consequences on America’s credibility abroad.
In an interview on ABC News’s “This Week,” Cardin expressed concerns about Trump’s suggestion that the Panama Canal be returned to U.S. control.
“It’s a serious statement because it affects America's credibility globally. Our allies don't know whether we are reliable partners or not. The Panama Canal obligations were established by a treaty ratified by Congress, by this U.S. Senate,” Cardin said about Trump’s remarks.
“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. And it really feeds in to Russia and China appeal to other countries as to whether they need to make alliances with Russia and China whether America will be there for them globally,” he continued.
Last Sunday, Trump suggested to a conference of his supporters that the Panama Canal be returned to U.S. control, vowing swift action over the matter after he takes office in less than one month.
“It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions. You got to treat us fairly, and they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said at Turning Point USA’s “American Fest.”
“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question,” Trump added.
When an audience member yelled, “Take it back,” Trump replied, “That’s a good idea.”
Cardin suggested he saw a similarity in the way Trump talked about pulling out of NATO during his first administration.
“We saw the same type of statements made during his previous administration when he threatened to pull out of NATO. These are treaty obligations which our allies rely upon, and it raises serious concerns about whether America will be there for them,” Cardin said.
