Trump Threatens to Demand Control of Panama Canal Over 'Ridiculous' Fees

US President-elect Donald Trump has ignited controversy by suggesting that the United States should regain control of the Panama Canal, citing "ridiculous" fees charged by Panama and concerns over China's growing influence in the region.

The Obama administration transferred ownership of the canal to Panama in 1999, after decades of joint administration by the US and Panama using a treaty signed in 1977. The Panama Canal Authority currently manages the waterway and has played a key role in maintaining it as one of the world's most efficient shipping routes. However, Trump claimed the transfer was only a "token of cooperation" that should be reconsidered, arguing that the US has a moral and legal claim to the canal's ownership, which is deemed "vital" to the country's commerce and national security.

Trump's comments come as Nicaragua, which had originally been awarded the contract for the canal, is now advancing an alternative waterway with Chinese investment. This could provide commercial competition to the Panama Canal, which currently accommodates about 75% of global cargo shipped through it. This domestic cargo could shift to Nicaragua's proposed waterway if it gains approval, and Trump sees this as a threat to US interests. With a 29% drop in the number of ships traveling through the canal this year due to drought and rising canal tolls, these fears have drawn Trump's attention.

As the pressure increases on the US-registered shippers to support Trump's move, many international and national stakeholders viewed this move with concern in shock and disappointing disapproval towards the altered sentiments sand dependent balance chambers wori i utilizar of possibilities that execute this kind of catastrophic reaction.