On November 3, 1903, Panama became independent from Colombia, encouraged by the U.S. Government of Theodore Roosevelt. Legend has it that Roosevelt said: "I took Panama and let the Congress debate".

All indications are that President-elect Donald Trump now has a similar idea in mind. At least that's what he said during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Arizona.

"Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous," he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"This complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop."

Trump threatened to demand control of the waterway be returned to Washington. He also hinted at China's growing influence around the canal, a worrying trend for American interests as US businesses depend on the channel to move goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

The Panama Canal, which was completed by the United States in 1914, was returned to the Central American country under a 1977 deal signed by Democratic president Jimmy Carter.

Panama took full control in 1999.

"It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else," Trump said. "We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!"

He continued that if Panama could not ensure "the secure, efficient and reliable operation" of the channel, "then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question."

Authorities in Panama did not immediately react to Trump's post.

Although he does not officially take office until next month, Trump has nevertheless been flexing his political influence in the waning days of President Joe Biden's administration.

The real estate mogul boasted on the campaign trail that as an entrepreneur, he was uniquely positioned to fight for US business interests.

An estimated five percent of global maritime traffic passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships traveling between Asia and the US East Coast to avoid the long, hazardous route around the southern tip of South America.

The main users of the passage are the United States, China, Japan and South Korea.

The Panama Canal Authority reported in October that the waterway had earned record revenues of nearly $5 billion in the last fiscal year.

Panama's rejection

In response to the announcement, Panama's president, José Raúl Mulino, reacted by rejecting Trump's threats.

"The canal has no direct or indirect control by China, the European Community, the United States or any other power. As a Panamanian I strongly reject any manifestation that misrepresents this reality," Mulino said in a video on his X account without explicitly mentioning Trump.

The Panamanian president demanded "respect" for his country and reiterated that "every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belong to Panama and will continue to do so". "The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable," he added.

Trump's response to Mulino's remarks was not long in coming.

Again on his Truth Social platform, the U.S. president-elect wrote to the Panamanian president: "We'll see!" and added a photo with the caption "Welcome to the U.S. Canal!

Despite Trump's remarks, Mulino said he expects to have "a good and respectful relationship" with the future US government, with which he hopes to continue addressing issues such as illegal migration and drug trafficking.

With information from AFP