President Donald Trump has made repeated claims that China “operates” the Panama Canal in recent weeks and has threatened to take back the waterway to block what he sees as Beijing’s increasing influence.

President Trump is wrong when he says China controls the Panama Canal. But the U.S. rival does have influence there, and the administration is moving to counter it.

Panama City, Panama - January 26, 2025 Panama holds full ownership and usage rights over the Panama Canal, said a number of Panamanians in separate interviews with China Central Television, rejecting U.