President-elect Trump objected Saturday evening to fees for use of the Panama Canal, a key shipping route, claiming he will demand that oversight of the waterway be returned to the U.S. upon his return to office if it is not changed .

“The fees charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially given the extraordinary generosity the U.S. has shown Panama,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This complete ‘rip-off’ of our country will stop immediately…”

Panama charges fees for boats and ships to pass through its canal. Fees vary depending on the size and purpose of the vessels and range from as little as $0.50 to as much as $300,000.

“If the moral and legal principles of this generous gesture of giving are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in full and without question,” Trump continued. “To the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!

The United States uses the Panama Canal more than any other country. Control of the canal was transferred from the United States to the Central American country in 1999 under a 1979 treaty under President Jimmy Carter, which Trump said was a stupid decision.

“When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away for a dollar while he was in office, management fell solely to Panama, not to China or anyone else,” he explained. “Panama was also not permitted to charge excessive prices and passage rates to the United States, its Navy, and companies doing business in our country.”

Construction of the Panama Canal began in 1904 under President Teddy Roosevelt. The waterway was built to enable rapid transport of goods between the Atlantic and Pacific. At the time, it was considered one of the most significant foreign policy achievements.

Trump called for a “safe” Panama Canal on Saturday, emphasizing its importance to America’s national security and economy.

“The United States has a vested interest in the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that has always been understood. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands! “It was not given for the benefit of others, but simply as a sign of cooperation with us and Panama,” he added, explaining that the country was being treated “in a very unfair and careless way.”

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