On day 1 in office, US President Donald Trump vows to take back Panama Canal

Reaffirming his pre-inauguration threat to reassert US control over the canal, Trump again accused Panama of failing to uphold the promises made regarding the final transfer of the strategic waterway in 1999 and of allowing its operation to fall under Chinese influence – claims that the Panamanian government has strongly denied.

"We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back," Trump stated.

He did not provide further details on when or how he intended to carry out this plan, but had previously refused to rule out the possible use of military force, drawing criticism from both Washington’s Latin American allies and adversaries.

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino responded on X that his country has administered the canal responsibly for world trade, including for the U.S., and that it "is and will continue to be Panamanian."