2024-12-23 01:30 PM IST
President-elect Donald Trump vowed to take back control of the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging too much in fees. He warned that if Panama didn’t follow moral and legal standards, the US would demand the canal’s return “quickly and without question.” Trump made these statements at the AmericaFest event, following a similar post on Truth Social. Panamanian President Jose Mulino said Panama’s sovereignty over the canal is non-negotiable. The US built and ran the canal until 1999, when it was fully handed over to Panama under agreements made in 1977. Trump also expressed concerns about the canal falling into the hands of countries like China. It’s unclear how he would try to regain control.