President Trump is wasting no time reasserting American dominance in our own backyard, deploying 50 U.S. Marines to Panama for a six-week joint training operation that sends a crystal-clear message to China and other adversaries: America is back.
The Marines began their training program Monday alongside Panamanian military forces, marking a significant shift from the Biden administration's weak foreign policy that allowed China to gain dangerous influence over the strategically vital Panama Canal.
This deployment comes at a crucial time when Communist China has been steadily expanding its economic stranglehold over Panama through infrastructure projects and port operations near the canal - the same playbook they've used worldwide to gain military leverage over sovereign nations.
America First Means Hemisphere First
While 50 Marines may seem like a small force, this training mission represents something much larger: Trump's commitment to the Monroe Doctrine and protecting American interests from foreign interference. The Panama Canal handles roughly 40% of all U.S. container traffic, making it absolutely critical to our economic security.
Under Biden's disastrous leadership, China was allowed to run wild across Latin America, using debt-trap diplomacy and corrupt deals to gain footholds throughout the region. Meanwhile, Biden was more concerned with appeasing climate activists than protecting vital shipping lanes that keep American goods moving.
The timing of this deployment is no coincidence. Trump understands that projecting strength early in his second term will prevent larger conflicts down the road. When America leads from the front, our allies feel confident and our enemies think twice.
Restoring American Leadership
This joint training mission also strengthens ties with Panama at a time when their government needs to choose between Chinese money and American partnership. By working directly with Panamanian forces, our Marines are building relationships that will pay dividends for decades.
Patriots should be encouraged by this early sign that Trump means business when it comes to defending our hemisphere. After four years of Biden's "America Last" policies, it's refreshing to see a president who understands that peace comes through strength, not weakness.
The question now is: will China get the message, or will they continue testing Trump's resolve?