Potential plans range from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to a less likely option of U.S. troops' seizing the canal by force, U.S. officials told NBC News.

American access to the Panama Canal, one of several new directives outlined in what amounts to a major overhaul of US strategic priorities, according to a new memo that was sent to senior leaders and reviewed by CNN.

The sale this week of two Panamanian ports from a Chinese company to a U.S. consortium is a victory for President Donald Trump, but it only appears to have whet his appetite for more concessions from Panama’s government.