“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S.,” he wrote on Truth Social on Saturday, according to Reuters. “It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question.”

The canal, which stretches over 51 miles between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, was completed by the U.S. in 1914. Former President Jimmy Carter gave Panama control of the passageway in 1977 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. The U.S. eventually gave the country full control in 1999.

Panama Canal

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