President Trump’s call for free American passage through the Panama and Suez Canals ignites fierce diplomatic tension, as Panama and Egypt push back against U.S. demands.
At a Glance
- Trump demands toll-free access for U.S. ships through Panama and Suez canals
- Panama’s president asserts tolls are autonomously managed and will not change
- Trump cites U.S. role in building Panama Canal to justify demands
- Security threats and economic losses complicate Suez Canal situation
Trump’s Demands Stir Global Tensions
President Donald Trump declared that American military and commercial ships should be granted free transit through the Panama and Suez Canals, citing historical U.S. contributions to the Panama Canal’s construction. Trump charged Secretary of State Marco Rubio with negotiating this demand immediately, adding that U.S. military forces could potentially secure passage if necessary.
Watch Trump’s remarks during a campaign event here.
However, Panama has flatly rejected the idea. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino emphasized that canal tolls are controlled independently by the Panama Canal Authority and that there is “no agreement to the contrary” granting free passage to any nation.
View business reaction to Trump’s canal comments here.
Panama’s Defiant Response
The Panama Canal remains a cornerstone of global trade, serving both U.S. and Chinese shipping interests. President Mulino underscored that Panama retains full sovereign control over the canal, a position Panama has fiercely defended since the U.S. formally transferred authority back to them in 1999 after decades of negotiations.
“There is no agreement to the contrary,” Mulino reaffirmed, pushing back strongly against Trump’s assertions according to The Guardian’s report.
Trump’s complaints about high toll costs and alleged Chinese influence have also fueled his broader critique of the canal’s management under Panamanian sovereignty.
Suez Canal Woes Amplify Crisis
Meanwhile, the Suez Canal faces its own turmoil. Escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have forced many vessels to reroute around Africa, slashing Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues by 60%—a loss of about $7 billion, according to Middle East Monitor coverage.
“American ships, both military and commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez canals!” Trump declared via Truth Social, further ramping up international pressure.
Watch coverage on the Suez disruptions here.
U.S. military forces continue limited operations in the Red Sea region to counter Houthi attacks, a move Trump vows will persist until international shipping lanes are fully secured.
Canal Battle: Sovereignty vs. Superpower Demands
Trump’s push for free U.S. navigation rights taps into larger questions about sovereignty, fairness, and the balance of global influence. While America’s historical investment in the Panama Canal remains a point of pride for many, today’s Panamanian and Egyptian leaders insist that their nations alone control their waterways.
Whether Trump’s demands evolve into serious negotiations or become another flashpoint in rising global tensions remains to be seen. What’s clear: the world’s strategic shipping lanes are now firmly back in the political spotlight.
