President-elect Trump has stirred up international attention by stating that the United States would demand that Panamanian officials return control of the Panama Canal to the United States if Panama does not address what he referred to as the 'rip-off' of the United States. Trump argued that the United States built and paid for the canal, and criticized President Jimmy Carter for 'foolishly giving it away.'
President José Raúl Mulino of Panama responded by asserting that the Panama Canal belongs to Panama. Trump emphasized the need for fair treatment, stating that while the canal was given to Panama and its people, there are provisions that must be upheld.
