President Donald Trump has called for American military and commercial ships to travel free of charge through both the Panama and Suez canals, ordering Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the issue immediately.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared that both waterways “would not exist” without the United States and demanded that American vessels be granted toll-free transit. “American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals!” he wrote.
Trump has for months voiced frustration over U.S. access to the Panama Canal, even suggesting American control should be reinstated. His latest comments broadened that focus to include the Suez Canal, a critical global shipping artery linking Europe and Asia.
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino responded without naming Trump directly, emphasizing that tolls for the canal are determined by the autonomous Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and that “there is no agreement to the contrary.”
Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also touched on the issue during a visit to Panama City, stating that the U.S. was seeking a deal for its warships to pass through the Panama Canal “first, and free.” The United States and China are among the canal’s top users, making the route a strategic focal point for both countries.
Meanwhile, the Suez Canal has faced its own challenges. Attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have disrupted shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, forcing many vessels to detour around Africa’s southern tip. These disruptions have led to a sharp 60% decline in Egypt’s canal revenue, costing the country an estimated $7 billion last year.
The U.S. military has ramped up strikes against Houthi positions since January, with operations intensifying under Trump’s leadership in recent weeks. Trump has pledged continued military action until the Houthis no longer pose a threat to international shipping.
The administration’s push for free passage is expected to spark complex diplomatic negotiations with both Panama and Egypt, as well as draw reactions from key global trading partners.
