Fox Nation's "Showdown at the Panama Canal" explores the history of the vital strategic waterway and the current high-stakes battle to reclaim control.

An impressive 1,118-metre-long bridge is set to be built some 75 metres above the Panama Canal at an eyewatering cost of £1.2 billion.

Frequent droughts have pushed authorities to pursue a controversial plan to dam a river to save the waterway — an act that would flood the homes of thousands of people.

Prior to the origination of the plans for the Panama Canal vessels of trade had few options of getting goods from Europe and Asia to N. America.

The Trump administration threatening partners in the Americas may prove to be short-term tactical approach but it will not prove to be a viable long-term strategy for engaging economically with the region.

Since returning to office, President Trump has made repeated claims that China operates the Panama Canal and threatened to take it back from the Panama Canal Authority, which has controlled it since 1999.

More than 2,000 people could be displaced by the construction of the Río Indio dam. The Panama Canal Authority says the dam solves a long-term water shortage problem.

Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the country of relinquishing control of the Panama Canal to China. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Beijing officials deny the claims.

The comments followed a dustup the day before when the U.S. embassy in Panama said one of the agenda items for Adm. Alvin Holsey’s visit would be discussing “efforts to protect the canal area from Chinese Communist Party influence & control.”

Data from Project44 suggests that transit times appear to reflect the efficiency of individual ocean carriers rather than any form of favoritism.

Explore the natural and historical wonders of the Panama Canal and Hawaii with Holland America Line’s 14- to 28-day cruises, offering immersive cultural experiences, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and holiday adventures.

US President Donald Trump claimed that China was effectively “operating” the Panama Canal. Read more at straitstimes.com.