Trump demands return of territory the US gave away 40 years ago

President-elect Donald Trump has claimed that Panama is demanding excessive fees for passage through the Panama Canal, which is of great importance to global trade, and stated that if the canal is not managed in an acceptable manner, he will ask Panama, a US ally, to hand it over.

Trump indicated that he could use the US Navy to facilitate this handover.

'WE BUILT IT' 

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that he would not allow the canal to fall into "the wrong hands" and warned that China could have influence over the canal.

Trump used the phrase, "The canal should not be managed by China."

The Panama Canal was largely built by the US and operated by the US for many years. In 1999, following a joint management process, control of the canal was fully transferred to Panama.

Trump said the canal was built by US citizens and financed with US money. Under this guise, Trump has officially demanded territory from another country.

RETURNED WITHOUT QUESTION

In his post, Trump criticized the fees Panama is charging, saying, "The fees Panama is demanding are ridiculous, especially considering the extraordinary generosity the US has shown to Panama."

Trump stated that the canal was only transferred as a gesture of cooperation between the US and Panama. He used the expression, "If this generosity is not met with both moral and legal principles, we demand that the Panama Canal be returned in full, without question."