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 .

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang discusses China’s influence in the Panama Canal region and other parts of the world on ‘Fox News Live.’

Trump has criticized Panama over increasing fees, warning that if it doesn't change, he will demand the canal's return to the U.S.