Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to "take back" the Panama canal. Before taking office in January, he said that he would not rule out using economic or military force to regain control over the canal.

Trump demands U.S. ships travel free through Panama and Suez canals, citing America's role in building and protecting the world's key shipping routes.

President Trump said Saturday that American commercial and military ships should not have to pay to travel through the Panama Canal and Suez Canal. “American Ships, both Military and