Saturday, March 29, 2025
President Pushes for Immediate Action on Vital Maritime Routes
Donald Trump has called for American commercial and military vessels to have free passage through both the Panama and Suez canals, ordering Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make “immediate” progress in securing the request.
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump reiterated his longstanding call for U.S. control over the Panama Canal, but this time expanded his focus to include the critical Suez route. He wrote, “American ships, both military and commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez canals!” Trump also claimed that both waterway projects would not exist without U.S. involvement, and emphasized that he had tasked Rubio with handling the issue right away.
Panama Responds to Trump’s Demand
While Trump’s call for free transit through the Panama Canal was met with swift resistance, Panama’s president, Jose Raul Mulino, did not directly address Trump’s remarks. However, he pointed out that toll fees for the canal are set by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an independent body that manages the waterway. “There is no agreement to the contrary,” Mulino stated on Saturday.
This comes after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Panama City earlier this month, where he proposed an agreement allowing U.S. warships to pass through the canal “first, and free.” Hegseth also raised the possibility of U.S. troops returning to Panama to “secure” the canal, but that suggestion was quickly dismissed by Panama’s government.
Global Importance of the Suez Canal
Trump’s remarks also extend to the Suez Canal, a vital artery for global maritime trade that links Europe to Asia. Before the recent disruption of shipping routes caused by attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the Suez Canal accounted for around 10% of the world’s maritime trade. The rebels, backed by Iran, began targeting vessels in early 2024, citing solidarity with Palestinians in the wake of the Israel-Gaza war. The attacks have forced ships to reroute, adding significant costs and time delays as they navigate around the southern tip of Africa.
In response to the declining revenue, Egypt announced in 2024 that earnings from the Suez Canal had dropped by 60%, a loss estimated at $7 billion. The U.S. military has been engaged in airstrikes against Houthi positions since January 2024, with the intensity of the strikes increasing under Trump’s leadership. The U.S. president has vowed to continue military operations until the threat to shipping is neutralized.
