Panama has complained to the United Nations over US President Donald Trump’s “worrying” threat to seize the Panama Canal, even as it launched an audit of the Hong Kong-linked operator of two ports on the interoceanic waterway.

Panama has rejected president-elect's threats, but Hong Kong and mainland Chinese companies have much at stake President-elect Donald Trump's threat to retake the Panama Canal to safeguard US national security has raised questions about the possible impact on Hong Kong and mainland Chinese companies operating there.

The Panamanian comptroller's office that oversees public entities announced “an exhaustive audit" at the Panama Ports Company.