In the 1970s, a conservative coalition came together to fight ceding control of the Panama Canal—proving the political potency of the issue.

EXCLUSIVE: The President-elect recently made comments about the "ridiculous" fees being charged by the Panama Canal for ships to pass through, bemoaning the US "foolishly giving it away."

Treaties ratified by the Senate in 1978 established permanent neutrality, but some Republicans regret that decision.

Donald Trump’s threat to forcibly retake the Panama Canal would target a waterway that generates $2.5 billion in annual revenue for Panama and handles 5% of global maritime trade, raising alarm about potential disruption to international commerce.

The US is the biggest user of the Canal, but influence on its operations is dispersed among contracts with bidders internationally.