OPINION:
The return to an engaged “America First” posture, spearheaded by President Trump’s leadership, has already restored strength, clarity and conviction not just to distant lands around the globe but also to Latin America, where it has long been neglected and required.
Mr. Trump’s renewed attention to this critical region reemphasizes the importance of strategic cooperation and a clear commitment to ensure that the U.S. and its regional partners work together to pursue shared prosperity and security.
Panama is a crucial linchpin, and the president’s renewed focus and leadership there have proved most meaningful. Mr. Trump was exactly right to call out alignments with China, increase peace through strength, and force engagement between the nations to respectfully demand that the Panamanian government move forward confidently as a strong and reliable ally to the United States.
The recent decoupling of Panama from certain Chinese interests in the Panama Canal and the deployment of U.S. soldiers to train in Panama were important steps forward. Still, it’s not the end of this story.
During my tenure as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, I had the honor of traveling to Latin and South America, and I saw firsthand the infrastructure investments China is undertaking. America needs to invest in strategic infrastructure projects in Panama for our national security interests and closer coordination with our natural allies.
Even before his inauguration, Mr. Trump recognized the importance of Panama for economic and national security, not to mention immigration. He took bold, decisive actions to safeguard the Panama Canal, one of the most strategically vital waterways in our region and the world and crucial to helping close the Darien Gap.
Today, there is yet another project Mr. Trump should support to reignite the U.S. as a player in its own backyard alongside Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino. The development of the Puerto Baru multimodal project in Panama will revolutionize the way energy is transferred across Panama. It will clear congestion in the canal, reenergize a region desperate for industry and further diversify military resilience.
The Puerto Baru project has all the hallmarks of providing significant value to Panama’s economy, workforce and long-term development goals.
Like Mr. Trump, the leaders behind the Puerto Baru project are visionaries and builders, bringing jobs and economic mobility to Panamanians and highlighting a commitment to making the community better for all. Beyond infrastructure, Puerto Baru will spark new growth in Panama’s agricultural sector, connecting farmers and producers to global markets and creating sustainable opportunity across the western region, all while remaining China-free, as its principals are all American citizens.
Unlike many prior projects in the region, Puerto Baru is one of the most thoroughly reviewed infrastructure projects in Panama’s modern history. It underwent strenuous environmental impact studies, some of the highest level required under Panamanian law, and received full, unconditional approval from the Ministry of Environment in 2024.
The Puerto Baru project stands as an economic, energy and environmental benchmark for modern infrastructure, the types of projects Mr. Trump is spearheading in the U.S. and would be proud of abroad.
This is where Mr. Trump’s leadership becomes especially meaningful. Puerto Baru aligns with his vision for the Western development of Panama, uniting American partners and Panamanian leadership to jointly develop the area to enhance economic resilience, expand local industry and demonstrate the power of bilateral cooperation.
Panama should move ahead with the Puerto Baru project. It aligns with both nations’ goals: economic growth, strategic stability and the strengthening of a partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared opportunity. It will also help address the root causes of migration by creating thousands of jobs, increasing regional prosperity and offering young Panamanians a reason to build their futures at home instead of seeking opportunities abroad.
This is the type of “America First” leadership that Mr. Trump is bringing to Latin America, which will help generate a long-term alliance resilient to the threats posed by the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to undermine America abroad.
Mr. Trump is once again projecting strength and clarity in the region. Panama has the chance to make good on its commitment to that strategic partnership by advancing the Puerto Baru project in immediate and tangible ways.
The benefits will generate jobs, modernize regional infrastructure, enhance economic competitiveness and deepen economic ties with the U.S.
Mr. Trump is right to support progress in Panama, and the Panamanian government should too. Panama stands to benefit greatly from moving forward with confidence. The Puerto Baru project is the steppingstone to future projects that will endure.
• Andrew Wheeler served as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during President Trump’s first term.
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