US President Donald Trump has once again stirred global waters by demanding that American military and commercial ships be allowed to travel free of charge through the Panama and Suez Canals.
In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “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 added that he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation.”
Trump’s Long-Standing Demand to “Take Back” the Panama Canal
The Panama Canal, a strategic link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was built by the United States and opened in 1914. In 1999, the canal’s control was officially handed over to Panama. However, Trump has frequently voiced dissatisfaction over the transition, repeatedly asserting his wish to “take back” the canal.
Earlier this year, Trump accused Panama of violating their agreement with the US. In a bold statement, he said, “China’s running the Panama Canal… it was not given to China… But they violated the agreement and we’re going to take it back or something very powerful is going to happen.”
Why It Matters
The Panama Canal carries nearly 40% of US container traffic every year. Any disruption or control shift over this route could significantly impact global trade and US economic interests.
Similarly, the Suez Canal is another critical artery for global shipping, and Trump’s call for free US access underlines his broader strategy of reasserting American dominance over international trade routes.
As of now, there has been no official response from Panama, Egypt, or China regarding Trump’s latest comments. However, experts warn that any aggressive moves could escalate tensions in already sensitive regions.
