US President Donald Trump called for free passage for American commercial and military vessels through the Panama and Suez canals, directing his secretary of state to act "immediately."
For several months, Trump has advocated for the United States to assert control over the Panama Canal. However, in a new post on his Truth Social platform, he also turned attention to the critical Suez Canal.
"American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals!" Trump wrote.
He claimed that both maritime routes "would not exist" without American involvement and said he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "immediately take care of" the matter.
In response, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, without naming Trump directly, stated on Saturday that toll charges for the Panama Canal are managed by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an independent agency overseeing the canal.
"There is no agreement to the contrary," Mulino said in a post on X.
Earlier this month, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a visit to Panama City, said Washington was seeking a deal to allow US warships to pass through the canal "first, and free."
Both the United States and China are among the leading users of the Panama Canal.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Suez Canal — a vital link between Europe and Asia — handled about 10 percent of global maritime trade prior to disruptions caused by Yemen's Huthi rebels. These Iran-backed militants began targeting shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden after the outbreak of the Gaza war, citing solidarity with Palestinians. Their actions have forced vessels to reroute around Africa’s southern tip, significantly increasing travel times and costs.
Egypt reported last year that revenues from the Suez Canal had fallen by 60 percent, resulting in a $7 billion loss.
Since January 2024, the US military has been conducting strikes against Huthi positions, and those operations have intensified under Trump, with near-daily attacks in recent weeks.
Trump has pledged that military strikes will persist until the Houthis no longer pose a threat to international shipping.
(With AFP inputs)
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