Experts say Trump cannot reclaim control of Panama Canal without military action

Donald Trump has threatened to demand the return of the Panama Canal, citing increased fees imposed by Panama. However, experts state that he cannot regain control without military action, as the U.S. ceded control in 1999 under a treaty. The Panama Canal, a crucial waterway for global shipping, was built by the U.S. after Panama's independence in 1903. Control was transferred to Panama in 1999, following years of negotiations and a treaty ratified in the late 1970s. Since the handover, Panama has managed the canal more efficiently, with significant expansions completed in 2016. Current shipping fees have risen due to droughts affecting operations, but Panama asserts that all users are treated fairly under the established agreements.