Trump has brought up U.S. control of the canal now over a claim that Panama is “ripping off” the U.S. by charging high fees for passage, and a separate charge that China is now “operating the Panama Canal.” Regarding China’s role at the canal, China is not “operating the Panama Canal” as Trump claims but is heavily-invested in infrastructure around the canal. The second is called the Treaty of Permanent Neutrality, that assures the commitment of both the United States and Panama to assure that the canal remains secure, open, accessible, and neutral, and even includes language which envisions the U.S. or Panama jointly or unilaterally defend[ing] the canal should it need to be defended.