Utah Rep. Burgess Owens is backing legislation that would authorize Donald Trump to negotiate buying back the Panama Canal, one of the world's most crucial waterways.
Owens is one of 24 co-sponsors of H.R.283, dubbed the “Panama Canal Repurchase Act of 2025.” The bill authorizes Trump and the Secretary of State to negotiate with the Panamanian government to return control of the canal to the U.S.
The primary sponsor of the legislation is South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson. In a press release, he said bringing the canal under U.S. authority is vital to national security.
“President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal. China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern. America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe,” Johnson said.
Owens’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty to hand over canal control to Panama if they guaranteed permanent neutrality in its operation. Panama assumed full control on Dec. 31, 1999.
Since winning the election, Trump has repeatedly talked about regaining U.S. control of the Panama Canal, Greenland, and possibly Canada. In a recent press conference, he refused to rule out using military force against Panama or Greenland in pursuit of those goals.
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