Sen. Cardin: Trump’s Threats to Seize the Panama Canal Could Drive Allies Toward Russia and China

EXCERPT:

CARDIN: “It's a serious statement because it affects America's credibility globally. Our allies don't know whether we are reliable partners or not. The Panama Canal obligations were established by a treaty ratified by Congress, by this U.S. Senate. So I don't know what the president-elect is saying in regards to how sincere he is, but I can tell you, it does raise questions globally as to whether we're a reliable partner. And it really feeds in to Russia and China appeal to other countries as to whether they need to make alliances with -- with Russia and China whether America will be there for them globally. We saw the same type of statements made during his previous administration when he threatened to pull out of NATO. These are treaty obligations which our allies rely upon, and it raises serious concerns about whether America will be there for them.”