Donald Trump criticised Panama Canal fees as a 'rip-off' and raised alarms about China's influence near the canal, sparking a renewed debate over its trade role and sovereignty

President-elect Donald Trump announced Kevin Marino Cabrera, the Miami-Dade commissioner as his pick to become the ambassador to the Republic of Panama, taking another swipe at the Latin American country on Wednesday.

At first, he joked about Canada being an additional US state. Since, he has threatened to take back control of the Panama Canal. He also reiterated a desire from his first term to own the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, which is not for sale.