Experts say Trump cannot reclaim 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 the canal in 1999 under a treaty. The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was completed in 1914. The U.S. relinquished control in 1999 after years of negotiations, and Panama has since managed the canal more efficiently, with increased traffic and a major expansion completed in 2016. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino affirmed that the canal belongs to Panama and that fee increases are necessary for improvements. Trump claims the U.S. is being treated unfairly, but experts emphasize that there is no legal basis for reclaiming the canal under current circumstances.