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Newly elected US President Donald Trump has accused Panama of overcharging the Panama Canal and threatened to return it to United States control.

He reports this on the Truth Social platform.

He recalled that the United States played a decisive role in the construction of the canal and governed the area around it for many years. In 1999, after a period of joint administration, control of the canal was transferred to Panama.

“The fees Panama charges to use the canal are absurd, especially considering the enormous amount of aid the United States has provided to Panama,” Trump wrote.

He added that if the moral and legal principles of this act of donation were not respected, the United States would demand that the Panama Canal be returned without any conditions.

Trump also expressed concern that the channel could fall under Chinese control, saying it should not be run by that country.

The Panama Canal carries about 5% of the world’s maritime traffic, providing a faster route for ships between Asia and the US East Coast, bypassing the long and dangerous route around South America. Key users of the channel are the USA, China, Japan and South Korea.

The Panama Canal Authority reported in October that the waterway generated record revenues of nearly $5 billion last fiscal year.

It was also reported that Trump’s possible return to the White House could lead to economic consequences for Germany if he decides to start a trade war between the US and Europe. Trump previously announced his intention to impose tariffs on all goods entering the United States from Canada, Mexico and China.

Let us remind you that “Cursor” wrote that Trump was discussing the possibility of the United States leaving the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 20, during the inauguration. Experts warn that this decision could pose a threat to the organization itself and the global health system.