Key Takeaways:
* President-elect Donald Trump saltily criticizes Panama over supposed overcharges to American vessels using the Panama Canal.
* Donald Trump threatens to retake control of the Panama Canal, referencing a 1977 treaty.
* Lara Trump, Trump’s daughter-in-law, withdraws consideration for U.S. Senate.
* President Joe Biden signs a stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.
* Trump again resorts to tariff threats, this time towards the European Union unless it makes a bulk purchase of U.S. oil and gas.
Trump Illumines Panama Canal Overcharges
In a controversial move, the new President-elect Donald Trump raised the temperature against Panama. Using his platform on Truth Social, he irately criticized Panama for allegedly charging American vessels “exorbitant prices” for using the vital Panama Canal. The Canal is a key maritime route linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and Trump deemed the fees being levied as “ridiculous.”
Recalling the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty
Trump resurrected the 1977 treaty that saw the canal’s control being transferred from the U.S. to Panama towards the end of the 20th century. He went on to threaten that the Canal be returned to the U.S. if Panama fails to honour the principles of the said treaty. He blamed President Jimmy Carter for “foolishly giving it away for one dollar.”
Trump Towers over the European Union
Adding to the volatility, Trump also issued a glaring threat to the European Union. He implied that their trading imbalances would not remain dormant. The EU, unless it starts purchasing U.S. oil and gas on a large scale will face tariffs.
Lara Trump Shelves Senate Ambitions
In a separate sequence of events, Lara Trump, Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, revealed that she has decided to steer clear from the U.S Senate race. While making this announcement, she hinted at a “big announcement” expected to be revealed in January.
Congress Battling Billionaires
Meanwhile, in the case of budgetary measures, House Democrats tipped the scales in favour of averting a looming government shutdown. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries claimed a victory for the American people as this action halted the extreme MAGA Republicans from causing harm to the economy and the working class.
Government Budget Turns Beneficial
The spending bill passed by Congress has led to an allocation of $100 billion in crucial emergency aid, designed to cater to the vast damage caused by recent natural disasters. Having weathered the impact of two back-to-back hurricanes, the southeastern United States is the primary beneficiary of this aid.
Biden Ensures Continuance
Finally, amid these tumultuous affairs, President Joe Biden successfully signed the stopgap spending bill into law. This action put a hold on further drama and ensured the continuation of government services and operations.
In summary, while Trump’s Canal controversy and tariff threats cushioned the international climate, Congress managed to escape a likely government shutdown. The stopgap spending bill got signed into law, and Lara Trump removed herself from the Senate race, leaving behind whispers of an upcoming “big announcement.”