Understanding the Panama Canal's history and recent U.S. comments

President-elect Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. should take control of the Panama Canal unless fees are reduced. Panama's president responded, stating the canal is not for sale. Trump has continued to post about the canal on social media. The Panama Canal was built by the U.S. from 1904 to 1913 and was transferred to Panama in 1999. It is now operated by the Panama Canal Authority, which has expanded its capacity significantly since then. About 40% of the world's cargo traffic uses the canal, with two-thirds of that traffic linked to the U.S. Recent droughts have affected operations, leading to reduced ship crossings.