Trump Demands Free Passage for U.S. Ships Through Panama and Suez Canals

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that American military and commercial vessels should be allowed to pass through the Panama Canal and Suez Canal without paying fees. Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, "I’ve asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation."

The Panama Canal, a critical shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, handles about 40% of U.S. container traffic annually. Built by the United States in the early 20th century, the canal was transferred to Panama’s control in 1999. Despite this, Trump has often expressed a desire to "take back" the canal, previously suggesting he might consider economic or military measures to regain control.

An aerial view from February 2025 showed a cargo vessel passing through the Agua Clara Locks at the Panama Canal, highlighting the canal’s ongoing strategic importance to global trade. Trump's latest comments have reignited debates over U.S. influence on international shipping lanes, especially at a time when control over critical maritime routes like the Suez Canal and Panama Canal remains a major geopolitical issue.

Trump’s call for free passage underscores his broader foreign policy stance prioritizing American economic and military strength. As tensions rise over global trade routes, Trump’s push to eliminate passage fees could have wide-reaching implications for U.S.-Panama relations and international shipping dynamics.