Trump threatens to review the status of the Panama Canal.

Trump demands a decrease in the toll for passing through the Panama Canal

The newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump demands a reduction in the toll for American ships passing through the Panama Canal, threatening to bring it back under Washington's control.

In his account on the social media platform Truth Social, the politician accused Panama of charging excessive fees for the use of the maritime passage that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, reports hromadske, citing Western media.

According to Trump, Panama is behaving 'very unfairly and irresponsibly' towards the U.S. Navy and commercial vessels.

This complete 'theft' of our country must be stopped immediately

Trump also warned that he will not allow the Panama Canal to fall into 'the wrong hands,' referring to China. It is the second-largest customer of the canal, and a Hong Kong-based Chinese company controls two of the five ports adjacent to the crossing, one on each side.

According to Trump, if Panama cannot ensure 'safe, effective, and reliable operation' of the canal, the U.S. will demand its return 'in full and without question.'

Trump's threat to Panama came 25 years after the U.S. transferred full control of the canal to Panama following a period of joint administration.