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.

China got only one mention in US President Donald Trump's inaugural address on Monday, but the comment was threatening - especially to a country much closer to America. Suggesting that China's operations in the Panama Canal constituted a degree of ownership of the Central American waterway,

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.

Beijing’s efforts to expand its reach in the country have hit several obstacles, in part because of American pressure.

President Trump said of the Panama Canal, “We’re taking it back.” The letter from Panama cited articles of the U.N. charter that prohibit member states from using threats and force.

In his speech, Trump said the U.S. will attempt to reassert control over the Panama Canal, claiming that China is giving preferential treatment over the crucial waterway bridging the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

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.

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.

In his inaugural speech, President Donald Trump repeated his plan to regain control of the Panama Canal. Can he?

President-elect Donald J. Trump’s threat to take back the Panama Canal may be posturing, but it could dampen the Panamanian government’s wish to broaden relations with the United States, analysts say.

Panama files UN complaint over Trump's threats to seize Panama Canal, launches audit of Hong Kong-linked port operator amid rising tensions.