The Pentagon was reportedly ordered to provide "credible" plans for securing US access to the key waterway

President Donald Trump has directed the US military to develop plans to "secure" the Panama Canal from alleged Chinese influence, following multiple threats to "reclaim" and "take back" the waterway, according to sources cited by Reuters, CNN and NBC.

The Panama Canal, a vital maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, has been under Panamanian control since 1999 following the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which stipulated that it would remain neutral and open to all nations. Trump has repeatedly threatened to take back control of the waterway, citing "ridiculous fees" and concerns over China's increasing presence in the region.

Earlier this year, Trump refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of the canal, stating that all options were on the table to protect US economic and national security interests.

In an Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance memo obtained by CNN on Thursday, the White House formally asked the Pentagon to "immediately" provide options to ensure unlimited US access to the canal.

"Provide credible military options to ensure fair and unfettered US military and commercial access to the Panama Canal," one of the directives in the memo reportedly stated.

US Southern Command is already developing potential plans, ranging from "partnering" closely with Panamanian security forces to a scenario in which US troops seize the canal by force, unnamed officials told NBC. Sources cited by Reuters also said the Pentagon had been ordered to explore military options to secure US access to the waterway.

Panamanian officials previously firmly rejected Trump's assertions and threats, while the Panama Canal Authority maintains that the canal is operated solely by Panamanians, with no evidence supporting claims of Chinese control.

President Jose Raul Mulino stated that the canal is part of Panama's "inalienable patrimony" and emphasized that Panama maintains full control of its operations. However, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally delivered Trump's ultimatum to Panama in February, Mulino made a concession to Washington by refusing to renew the country's 2017 agreements with China under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.