Elected U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the Panamanian government for imposing high fees for the use of the Panama Canal, warning that if not managed properly, the U.S. might demand control of the canal area back from Panama. This rare assertion reflects a potential shift in American diplomacy under Trump, known for using aggressive rhetoric in negotiations. He emphasized that the U.S.’s previous generosity towards Panama should not be exploited and threatened that the canal could be claimed back without negotiation.