The article discusses how Donald Trump's recent challenges to Panama's control over the Panama Canal may reignite past foreign policy debates.
President Jimmy Carter's negotiations in 1977, which transferred control of the canal to Panama, are highlighted as a pragmatic solution for global trade.
The treaties, ratified by a significant bipartisan majority, ensured neutral access to the canal for all nations.
It contrasts Carter's diplomatic tactics with Trump's perceived aggressive bargaining strategy, emphasizing the risks of international relations based on threats.
The article warns that Trump's rhetoric could potentially disrupt the stability and utility established by the treaties. Read more about the issue here.