President Donald Trump has called for the United States to secure free passage for its commercial and military vessels through both the Panama and Suez Canals, directing his Secretary of State to address the matter “immediately.”
Trump, who has long advocated for greater U.S. influence over the Panama Canal, also extended his demands to the Suez Canal, a crucial global shipping route. In a recent statement, he emphasized that both canals would not exist without American support and insisted that U.S. ships should be granted free access through these vital waterways.
He further instructed his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to take immediate action to resolve the situation.
In response, Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, did not directly address Trump’s comments but reiterated that tolls for the Panama Canal were regulated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous body. He stated, “There is no agreement to the contrary” regarding toll fees.
During a visit to Panama earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth suggested that the U.S. might seek an agreement allowing its warships to pass through the canal without charge, and also floated the idea of re-deploying U.S. military forces to secure the strategically important waterway. However, the proposal was quickly dismissed by Panama’s government.
The Panama Canal, along with the Suez Canal, is a critical international trade route, with both the U.S. and China being two of its most frequent users. The Suez Canal, which links Europe and Asia, handles approximately 10% of global maritime trade but has faced challenges due to attacks on vessels by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. These attacks, which began after the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict, have forced ships to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, increasing travel time and costs.
In 2024, Egypt reported a 60% drop in Suez Canal revenues, a loss of about $7 billion, due to these disruptions. The U.S. military has been involved in strikes against Houthi positions since early 2024, and former President Trump has stated that such military actions will continue until the Houthis no longer pose a threat to international shipping.
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