On April 26, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that American military and commercial vessels should be allowed to transit the Panama and Suez Canals without incurring any fees. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals! Those Canals would not exist without the United States of America.” He further indicated that he had directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the matter immediately.
The Panama Canal, completed by the United States in the early 20th century, was handed over to Panama in 1999 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. It remains a vital maritime route, facilitating approximately 40% of U.S. container traffic annually. The Suez Canal, under Egyptian control since 1956, is another critical artery for global trade, accounting for about 10% of worldwide shipping traffic.
Trump’s demand has elicited responses from officials overseeing these waterways. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, CEO of the Panama Canal Authority, emphasized the canal’s adherence to neutrality and international law, stating that any preferential treatment would lead to operational chaos. Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino reaffirmed the nation’s sovereignty over the canal, rejecting any assertions of external control.
This development adds to ongoing discussions about U.S. involvement in international maritime routes and may impact diplomatic relations with Panama and Egypt. The situation continues to evolve as stakeholders address the implications of the U.S. president’s statements.
