Panama has reportedly submitted a formal letter to the U.N. rejecting Trump's statement about reclaiming the canal. The country's President José Raúl Mulino said in the letter, dated January 20, that the canal "is and will continue to be Panama's," the New York Times reported.

The move follows President Donald Trump’s renewed claims that China has influence over the canal and his pledge to take control of the strategic waterway.

Russia’s foreign ministry has called on Trump to reaffirm the current international agreement surrounding the Panama Canal and to leave it in control of the nation of Panama.

China on Wednesday insisted it had "never interfered" in the Panama Canal, after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize the waterway and complained Beijing was effectively "operating" it.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino says his nation intends to maintain control of the Panama Canal, after President Trump reiterated his intent to take control of the strategic waterway in his

The Panama Canal Authority leader denied that China controls the waterway, warning President-elect Trump against ending the Neutrality Treaty.

By Vivian Wang Reporting from Beijing There was talk of a high-speed rail line that China would build in Panama. A new subway line in Panama City. A modern container port. China has been working ...

Trump's claim that Chinese soldiers exercise authority over the Panama Canal is inaccurate, but his assertion that China manipulates the use of the passage is a long-held U.S. concern.

US President Donald Trump's threat to seize the Panama Canal over alleged undue Chinese influence may really be aimed at limiting Beijing's growing diplomatic and economic presence in Latin America, experts say.

Trump reiterated his claim that China is “operating” the Panama Canal and said that the critical waterway had been “foolishly” given to Panama. “We didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”

Panama has alerted the United Nations - in a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday - to U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks during his inauguration speech, when he vowed that the United States would take back the Panama Canal.