Trump's Panama Canal Remarks Spark Protests

President-elect Donald Trump has reignited controversy by suggesting that the U.S. should retake control of the Panama Canal if Panama doesn't reduce shipping fees, remarks linked to his business interests in Panama. Trump's comments have been criticized both domestically and internationally, and Panama's President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected the idea, citing the canal's non-negotiable sovereignty. Protests erupted in Panama, with demonstrators denouncing Trump's comments as imperialistic. Analysts suggest that Trump's statements may reflect his broader 'America First' policy and concerns over China's influence in the canal. However, historical treaties and Panama's sovereignty make such a proposal implausible.