Ships have gotten WAY bigger, even bigger than the last time the Canal was widened, and the level of traffic keeps going up.
*Ships have gotten WAY bigger*
Ships are built with the Panama Canal in mind. Think those USS Iowa class battleships-108’ wide.
Next. As for giving it away it was a good idea. Stole it fair and square? Perhaps. We did what the French couldn’t do. Then we tried to prove it again in Viet Nam.
Last. An addendum gives us the right to take over the canal militarily if a civil action takes place in the country that affects it’s operation.