02.07.2026 06:30
US President Donald Trump argued that it was a mistake for the United States to lose control of the Panama Canal, claiming that China is trying to seize the canal, and said, "We will not allow that." Trump also criticized birthright citizenship, while asserting that oil prices will continue to fall and that the US has become "the most admired country in the world."
US President Donald Trump made striking statements about the Panama Canal, China, birthright citizenship, and the US economy in a speech at the opening program of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota.
"CHINA IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE PANAMA CANAL"
Trump, arguing that the Panama Canal was built by the US and that handing over control was a major mistake, claimed that 38,000 Americans died from malaria and other causes during the canal's construction.
Trump, who previously said he might use military force to retake the Panama Canal, now alleged that China is trying to take over the canal.
Trump said, "We gave away the Panama Canal. Do you know what the first thing they did? They quadrupled the prices for ships and didn't lose a single ship. Then they raised prices twice more. Still didn't lose a single ship. How foolish it was to give away the canal. Now China is trying to take over the Panama Canal. We will not allow that. Okay?"
"THE US IS THE MOST ADMIRED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD"
Noting that the US became a great power during the Roosevelt era, Trump argued that his country is now much stronger.
Relaying what the King of Saudi Arabia told him, Trump said, "A year ago, he told me, 'During Biden's time, your country was like dead. We had given up hope. They were looking to China and other countries for protection.' Then he said, 'Now you are the most admired country in the world.' That's true. Even truer now than then. The US is the most admired country in the world."
CRITICIZED BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP PRACTICE
Trump argued that birthright citizenship, which grants US citizenship to anyone born in the country, is being abused.
"We will fix the birthright citizenship issue. Because it was not designed for rich people coming from other countries," Trump said, adding, "It was not designed for rich people coming from China on private jets. It was designed for the babies of slaves. So they made the wrong decision. But that's fine."
"WE HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING"
Stating that oil prices have dropped, Trump claimed that ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has reached record levels.
Trump said, "You see fuel prices dropping rapidly. Just as I said, they are falling like a stone. Because ships are coming out of the Strait of Hormuz. In numbers no one has ever seen before. We are breaking records. Oil is dropping. I told you it would drop. We have complete control over everything. This is the beginning of America's golden age."
CHATTED WITH ROOSEVELT'S AI-POWERED HOLOGRAM
Before his speech, Trump also chatted with an AI-powered hologram of Theodore Roosevelt.
When Trump asked, "Do you consider the Panama Canal your greatest achievement?" the hologram replied, "At that time, yes. The canal is undoubtedly one of the struggles I am most proud of."
The hologram also said, "When I thought ships would pass through there and change the map of the world forever, I felt I had left a lasting legacy. I knew it would change the map of the world forever."