Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The Panama Canal, which was completed by the United States in 1914, was returned to the Central American country under a 1977 deal signed by Democratic president Jimmy Carter.

President-elect Donald Trump threatened Sunday to demand control of the Panama Canal be returned to the United States, and went after Canada and Mexico for their 'unfair' practices.

Musk, the owner of car manufacturer Tesla and social media platform X, has been tapped by Trump to lead the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, after vocally supporting and financially backing his campaign for president.

Could Elon Musk, who holds major sway in the incoming Donald Trump administration, one day become president? For the latest politics news, bookmark The South African website’s dedicated section for free-to-read content On Sunday,

Donald Trump's statement comes amid growing complaints in the US about Elon Musk's increased influence in the country's politics and administration.