Donald Trump has suggested the United States should take back control of the Panama Canal.
He has accused Panama of charging “unfair fees” for use of the waterway and warned of China’s potential influence in the region.
Trump has called the canal “the American Canal” in a social media post, sharing an image of an American flag flying over the water.
Speaking at a conservative event, he said, “We gave Panama the canal, but if they don’t honor the agreement, we will take it back—quickly and without question!”
The Panama Canal, vital to global trade, was built by the US but handed over to Panama in 1999 after a series of agreements.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has responded forcefully, declaring Panama’s sovereignty “non-negotiable.”
He has denied any Chinese control over the canal, saying the fees are fair and essential to its preservation.
Trump wants to expand US influence for security reasons, and has also proposed taking control of Greenland.
However, experts expect it to be difficult for Trump to do so because there are international laws that must be followed.
