Trump didn't explain how such a takeover would be possible, given that the U.S. relinquished control of the canal to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
It is actually not as useful. Panamax ships were getting made 1985. But then they figured out they could actually ship more with larger designs even going around the “long way”. So the route is longer but ships are faster and larger enough that the “bandwidth” is higher than going through the canal.
The canal is also running out of water. It’s supplied by a lake at the highest point and every time they run the locks they lose water. They put some pumps in to bring water back up but it’s not enough to offset the loss.
It is actually not as useful. Panamax ships were getting made 1985. But then they figured out they could actually ship more with larger designs even going around the “long way”. So the route is longer but ships are faster and larger enough that the “bandwidth” is higher than going through the canal.
The canal is also running out of water. It’s supplied by a lake at the highest point and every time they run the locks they lose water. They put some pumps in to bring water back up but it’s not enough to offset the loss.