Panamanian minister of Economy Dulcidio De La Guardia declared that the government is more concerned about president Trump’s immigration policy than about his commercial policy.
The immigration restrictions decreed by Trump could cause a migration flow to Panama and that is what concerns Panamaniam authorities the most.
According to the official, Trump’s anti-immigration policies against Muslim citizens and refugees, as well as his threats to build a wall on the Mexican border, could make Panama a new destination country, since it has the highest economic growth of Latin America and has a dollarized economy.
According to different multilateral organizations, Panama grew by 5.2% in 2016, while in 2017 it will “once again lead the growth” in the region.
Data from the National Migration Service of Panama indicate that since 2010 there have been more than 100,000 requests for residence in the country, mainly from Venezuelans, Colombians, Spaniards, Americans and Dominicans.
Despite the fact that the United States is Panama’s main trading partner, the government is not afraid of being affected by Washington’s protectionist policies.