The canal was turned over to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999. For Carter, the deal signified a new beginning of mutual respect and cooperation between the U.S. and Latin America, as he said in his speech in 1978. It also showed “the last remnant of alleged American colonialism is being removed” during a time when the world moved away from imperialism.

Treaties ratified by the Senate in 1978 established permanent neutrality, but some Republicans regret that decision.

For dozens of US tourists watching a cargo ship pass through the Panama Canal, Donald Trump's threat to possibly wrest back control of the waterway is nonsensical.None of those interviewed backed US President-elect Trump in his repeated threats that he could seize control of the canal after he returns to the White House next month.

Carter viewed the Panama Canal transfer as a defining moment of his presidency, while Donald Trump recently reignited debate, calling it a "giveaway."

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino remembered former President Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday at age 100, for his "crucial" role in ensuring the Panama Canal was returned to Panamanian control. The big picture: Carter signed treaties with Panama's leader in 1977 for the U.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carters historic decision to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama has resurfaced as a point of contention, following accusations by President-elect Donald Trump.

Handing control of the Panama Canal from the U.S. over to the Central American country was one of President Jimmy Carter's most controversial, and most overshadowed, foreign policy achievements.