The U.S. acquired the rights to build and operate the canal in the early 20th century, but at the time, Panama was in the process of seceding from Colombia, whose senate was refusing to ratify a treaty that would allow the canal to be built, according to the State Department's Office of the Historian .

Donald Trump has said that the U.S. could demand the return of the Panama Canal if the country fails to reduce the fees it charges American ships.