Trump to Panama Prez: 'We Did a Good Job Building' Canal

Varela reminds him it was built 100 years ago
By Gina Carey,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 19, 2017 5:04 PM CDT
Trump Says Panama Canal 'Doing Quite Well'
President Donald Trump stands with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela at the White House in Washington, Monday, June 19, 2017.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Walls aren’t the only thing President Trump enjoys touting. According to Politico, Trump gave props to the Panama Canal during Panamanian president Juan Carlos Varela’s visit to the Oval Office Monday. The White House blog recounts the remarks made during press availability at the meeting. After Trump greets Varela and his wife, he asserts, “And we have many things to discuss. We’re going to spend quite a bit of time today—the Panama Canal is doing quite well. I think we did a good job building it, right?” To which Varela responds, “One hundred years ago.” Trump goes on to call the relationship between Panama and the US “very strong” and praises the friendship between the two countries.

The Washington Post reports that the leaders spoke about a range of topics including security, economic issues, and fighting drug trafficking. But Trump’s comments about the canal, which was completed in 1914, are dominating headlines. Meanwhile, jokesters are having a field day on Twitter, where the moment has already turned into a meme. Varela reportedly invited Trump to visit Panama, where the Post notes Vice President Pence is traveling in August. Pence tweeted that he was “pleased” to meet with Varela and his cabinet, who will be visiting Washington for four days. (More Donald Trump stories.)

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