In the past, what politicians say is important, now days it seems what they actually mean is subject to interpretation. No politician identifies this more that President Trump. After he says something, then his advisors interpret the words, and they tend to mean something else. President Trump could have good reasons, but as he moves into his Presidency, we will see how the words reflect affect reality.

In an article by Gram Slattery of Reuters, President Trump threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal accusing the Canal authority of charging too high of rates for ships to cross to connect the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The Panama Canal was started by the French but they could not complete it. The zone was taken over by President Teddy Roosevelt era and they had a 100-year lease. In 1997, the US and Panama signed a treaty that reverted the Canal to the government of Panama and in 1999 the Panama government took full control. The Canal initially provided a quicker way to move goods from the East Coast to California during the gold rush era. With the rise of container ships, the canal has increased in size to accommodate larger ships carrying goods from China to the US.

The President of Panama Jose Raul Mulino said every square inch belongs to Panama and we are keeping control for us. For the US to gain control, it would tend to mean a war, not just a monetary buyout or acquisition.

Linking to dividend paying companies, if you pay attention to the messages of corporate Presidents, the words have been written and vetted by senior management. If the numbers are positive, what the President says can mean less, because the company is profitable. However, the words will be analyzed by many investors to see what is says and does not say. President Trump maybe an exception, but words matter and resources are allocated based on words.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.