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.

The U.S. military must work to provide options to ensure the United States has full access to the Panama Canal, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.

Donald Trump has ordered his military to draw up options to “reclaim” the Panama Canal – including by force. The president has repeatedly said he wants the US to regain control of the strategically important waterway, which was handed over to the Panamanians by American authorities in 1999.