The Panama Canal is a vital artery for global commerce, with vessels from the United States and China making up its most frequent users.

However, President-elect Donald Trump suggested that America might reclaim the structure unless its "exorbitant" fees are removed.   

Trump alleges "unfair and injudicious" treatment

According to the Washington Examiner, Trump recalled in a series of social media on Saturday how the canal originally belonged to the United States.

"It was likewise not given for Panama to charge the United States, its Navy, and corporations, doing business within our Country, exorbitant prices and rates of passage," the president-elect declared.

"Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way," the president-elect went on to complain.

"The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop," he asserted.

President-elect: "Jimmy Carter foolishly gave" away canal

In addition to Panama's government, Trump also leveled criticism at former President Jimmy Carter for signing a 1979 treaty which relinquished control over the canal.

"Teddy Roosevelt was President of the United States at the time of its building, and understood the strength of Naval Power and Trade," Trump pointed out.

"When President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave it away, for One Dollar, during his term in Office, it was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else," he continued.

What's more, Trump then threatened that the United States might retake the canal from Panama should his demands not be met.

"If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!" he concluded.

Trump said last year that he would make China "get out" of canal

This is not the first time Trump has spoken out on the Panama Canal, as the Daily Caller noted last year how he pledged to end Chinese influence over it.

"If I’m president, they'll get out because I have a very good relationship with President Xi [Jianping] and he respected this country, he respected me," Trump told Tucker Carlson.

"And he’ll get out and we can’t let them ruin the Panama Canal. We built the Panama Canal, it should’ve never have been given to Panama," he added.