Why is Trump threatening to take over the Panama Canal?

The Panama government has controlled the canal since 1999. The US President-elect wants to take it back.

On Sunday, United States President-elect Donald Trump said that his new administration will try and regain control of the Panama Canal.

His statements drew rebuke from Panama President Jose Raul Mulino.

Here is more about what Trump said and why the Panama Canal is significant to the US:

Trump brought up the Panama Canal at AmericaFest, an annual event organised by conservative group Turning Point.

“We’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” he said at the Arizona event, adding that the US “foolishly gave it away”.