Trump criticizes Panama Canal fee hikes but cannot reclaim control

Donald Trump, the president-elect, is criticizing Panama for raising shipping fees at the Panama Canal. He has threatened to demand the canal's return to the U.S. if these fees do not change after he takes office. The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was handed over to Panama in 1999 following treaties signed in the 1970s. Experts state that Trump cannot reclaim control without military action, as the treaties do not allow for such a move. Since the handover, Panama has managed the canal more efficiently, with increased traffic and a major expansion completed in 2016. Panama's president emphasized that the canal is sovereign territory and that fee increases are necessary for improvements.