Trump's Panama Canal comments impact US 'credibility': Ben Cardin

Outgoing Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) argued President-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments about reclaiming the Panama Canal could impact the United States’s “credibility” on the global stage and help rival countries, including China and Russia.

Trump’s recent demands to have the Panama Canal returned to the U.S. were made due to Panama charging U.S. vessels crossing the vital waterway “exorbitant” passage fees, with the president-elect arguing this “rip-off” by the country needs to end. In assessing Trump’s comments, Cardin stated that Trump’s comments are “serious” due to how they cast doubt among U.S. allies on whether or not the nation is reliable.