Donald Trump Proposes Reclaiming Control of Panama Canal

President Donald Trump announced that the United States reclaiming control of the Panama Canal is "sort of on the table." During a White House press conference on January 20, 2026, marking his first year back in office, Trump reiterated his opposition to the 1977 treaties that transferred the waterway to Panama.

Trump cited national security concerns and the influence of Chinese companies, which maintain significant control over port concessions at both ends of the canal, as primary drivers for the move. He previously claimed in March 2025 that his administration had already begun the process of reclaiming the canal via the acquisition of ports by a large American company.

While discussing these goals and an interest in acquiring Greenland, Trump clarified during the World Economic Forum in Davos that the U.S. would not use force to pursue these objectives. However, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen advised residents to prepare for the possibility of a U.S. military invasion.