Trump threatens to reclaim control of Panama Canal over fees and efficiency concerns

Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, criticized Panama Canal fees for American ships, calling them "ridiculous." He threatened to demand the canal's control be returned to the U.S. if Panama cannot ensure its efficient operation. Trump expressed concerns about China's influence in the region, stating that the canal should be managed solely by Panama. He emphasized that the U.S. would not allow the canal to fall into "the wrong hands." The Panama Canal, completed by the U.S. in 1914, was handed over to Panama in 1999. The canal is crucial for global trade, with about five percent of maritime traffic passing through it.