Why Trump Wants — But Can’t Have — the Panama Canal: QuickTake

President Donald Trump has called for the US to retake control of the Panama Canal unless the cost of passage for naval and merchant ships is slashed. Trump’s refusal to rule out the use of force is a throwback to the 19th century era of gunboat diplomacy. While it remains unclear whether Trump is simply posturing, his demand has jolted Latin America, which is less afflicted by territorial disputes than regions such as the Middle East and Asia. It shows a willingness to flout treaties and anger allies to further US interests. It’s also a way of confronting China, ...