United States President Donald Trump has called for free passage for American commercial and military ships through the Panama and Suez canals, instructing his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to act immediately on the matter.
Trump, who has for months been advocating for US control over the Panama Canal, extended his demand to the Suez Canal in a recent social media post. Writing on his Truth Social platform, he said, “American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals!”
The President claimed that both maritime routes would “not exist” without the United States and confirmed he had directed Secretary of State Rubio to “immediately take care of” the situation.
Reacting sharply to Trump’s comments, Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, reiterated that toll fees were determined and regulated by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an autonomous body overseeing the crucial waterway. “There is no agreement to the contrary,” Mulino stated.
Earlier this month, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, during his visit to Panama, floated the idea of an agreement allowing US warships to pass through the canal “first and free.” He also suggested that American troops might return to secure the canal, although the Panamanian government swiftly rejected the proposal, asserting its capability to manage the security of the waterway independently.
Analysts interpret Washington’s assertive move as a strategic effort to curb China’s growing influence, especially amid the ongoing US-China trade conflict that reignited on 7 April. Both the United States and China are among the heaviest users of the Panama Canal for their international trade.
Meanwhile, concerns have similarly arisen regarding the Suez Canal, which previously handled about 12 per cent of global trade. Traffic through the canal has declined sharply following Houthi rebel attacks on Israel-bound vessels. Approximately 30 per cent of global container traffic used the Suez Canal before the disruption.
The Iran-backed Houthis, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza war, have targeted commercial ships, forcing many to reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope—a significantly longer and costlier journey. Egypt reported in 2024 that its Suez Canal revenues had plunged by 60 per cent, leading to a financial loss of around $7 billion.
Although the United States has conducted air operations targeting Houthi positions in Yemen, experts argue that the strategy has yielded limited success. The Houthis continue to control vast swathes of territory and have recently launched multiple ballistic missile attacks on Israel.
Military experts caution that Washington has been reluctant to deploy ground forces in Yemen, concerned about the potential for high American casualties. They further suggest that the ongoing airstrikes are proving an expensive and ineffective tool against the resilient rebel force.
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