US President Donald Trump on Saturday demanded that American military and commercial ships be allowed to travel free of charge through the Panama and Suez canals, directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to pursue the matter immediately.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “American ships, both military and commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez canals.” He argued that both critical maritime routes "would not exist" without US involvement and called for immediate action to secure free passage.
The Panama Canal, completed by the United States in the early 20th century, was handed over to Panama in 1999.
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino, without naming Trump, emphasized Saturday that tolls are regulated solely by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an independent governing body. "There is no agreement to the contrary," Mulino stated.
Separately, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a visit to Panama City earlier this month, suggested US warships should have prioritized and free access to the canal.
He also floated the controversial idea of deploying US troops to Panama to secure the waterway, a proposal rejected by Panamanian officials.
The Suez Canal, managed by Egypt, remains a vital link between Europe and Asia, handling about 10% of global maritime trade.
Recent disruptions caused by Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping routes have already forced major detours, slashing Egypt’s canal revenue by 60% in 2024.
Trump vowed that US military action against Houthi positions would continue until the threat to international shipping was eliminated.
The United States and China are currently the top users of the Panama Canal, underscoring the strategic importance of both waterways to global trade.
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