President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that the United States should reclaim control of the Panama Canal, citing dissatisfaction with the fees charged by Panama for its use. Speaking at Turning Point USA’s “America Fest” on Sunday, Trump vowed to take swift action on the matter once he assumes office in less than a month.
“It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions. You gotta treat us fairly, and they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump told the crowd. He further insisted, “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 the United States of America in full, quickly and without question.”
The Panama Canal, handed over to Panama by the U.S. in 1999, serves as a critical artery for global trade, accommodating around 14,000 ships annually and accounting for 2.5 percent of worldwide maritime commerce. Panama charges tariffs for its use, with fees varying by vessel size and purpose, ranging from $0.50 to $300,000. Trump criticized these charges as excessive and unfair to the United States.
“Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal?” Trump quipped to the audience. “Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else.”
His sentiments echoed those expressed on Truth Social the day before, where he decried Panama’s tolls as a “complete rip-off.” Trump also pointed to the U.S.’s historical role in constructing and handing over the canal as justification for reconsidering its sovereignty.
The president-elect’s comments drew enthusiastic applause from his audience, with one supporter even shouting, “Take it back!” Trump responded approvingly: “That’s a good idea.”
However, his remarks are likely to provoke a sharp backlash from both international observers and policymakers. The suggestion of reclaiming the Panama Canal would involve pressuring a sovereign nation to cede control of its own territory—a move widely seen as a breach of international law and diplomatic norms.
Panama’s government has not yet responded to Trump’s statements, but experts warn that such rhetoric could strain U.S.-Panama relations and set a troubling precedent for American foreign policy.
This isn’t the first time Trump has floated the idea of asserting U.S. control over another country’s territory. Last week, he suggested on Truth Social that Canada might become the 51st state, questioning why the U.S. provides subsidies to its northern neighbor.
“No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense!” Trump wrote. “Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State.”
Trump’s remarks underscore his broader “America First” philosophy, which prioritizes U.S. economic and strategic interests—even at the risk of upending longstanding agreements and alliances. While his supporters praise his willingness to challenge the status quo, critics argue that such moves could destabilize international relations and undermine America’s standing on the world stage.
