The Panama Canal plays a “vital” role in the economies of other countries in the Western Hemisphere, and important U.S. military and economic interests. The post- World War II economic growth of the United States and many other countries generated huge increases in the volume of international trade and contributed significantly to the current “interdependence of nations.” The increase in global maritime trade resulted in the Panama Canal becoming a waterway upon which most of the world depends for its general well being. Thus, forecasts indicate that the United States will continue to be the primary user of the waterway over the next several years. Given this perspective, arguments that the Panama Canal is not as economically important to the