Can Trump 'take back' the Panama Canal?

Panama Canal but has not offered specifics about how he would do so. Here is an explanation of the history and laws governing the critical waterway.
Why is the Panama Canal important?
The Panama Canal, located at the narrowest part of the isthmus between North and South America, is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world. Last year, the canal logged 11,240 crossings totaling more than 235.5 million tons of cargo.

Over two-thirds of all cargo passing through the canal today originates from, or is destined for, the U.S.

If the Panama Canal were blocked or unavailable, ships would need to make the long voyage around the southern tip of South America to cross between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

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The U.S. completed construction of the canal in the early 20th century but signed treaties handing it over to Panama in 1977 in response to political pressure and unrest in Panama over U.S. ownership.

What has Trump said about the canal?
Trump claims Panama charges excessive tolls for U.S. ships to pass through the canal, calling them «ridiculous» and «very unfair.»
The canal's fee structure is based on type of vessel and size, combined with auctions for ships arriving without reservations and a variable water surcharge. U.S. military ships have priority of passage, but its commercial vessels are not entitled to lower rates.
Trump has also asserted that the U.S. needs to take back the canal because China controls it and could use the waterway to undermine American interests.
There is no evidence to support this claim, though Chinese companies have made significant investments in Panama that some U.S. lawmakers and maritime experts say could give Beijing leverage over the canal's