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Donald Trump and the Panama canal

Yes, President-elect Donald Trump has recently expressed a desire for the United States to regain control over the Panama Canal. In December 2024, he criticized the fees charged by Panama for American ships as "exorbitant" and suggested that the canal was "falling into the wrong hands," implying concerns over Chinese influence.

In early January 2025, Trump stated he would not rule out using military or economic actions to achieve this goal, citing U.S. "economic security."

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino responded by denying any unfair charges and reaffirming Panama's full control over the canal, emphasizing it as part of the country's "inalienable patrimony."

These statements have raised concerns about potential geopolitical tensions and the future of U.S.-Panama relations.