Panama City, December 23 (RHC)-- U.S.A President-elect Trump has threatened to retake the Panama Canal if Panama doesn’t lower fees for U.S. ships. 

The United States controlled the waterway since the early 20th century, but in 1977 President Jimmy Carter signed a landmark treaty to give Panama control of the canal. 

Trump made the threat during a speech Sunday in Arizona.  

“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question.”

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino rejected Trump’s threat in a video posted online.  “I want to express that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belong to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama.  The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable.”

[ SOURCE:  DEMOCRACY NOW ]