The President of the United States, Donald Trump, requested that U.S. vessels, both military and commercial, transit through the Panama and Suez canals at no cost.
Through a post on his social media platform, Trump stated that those routes "would not exist" without the historical support of the United States and ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take immediate action to address this situation and to emphasize the historical arguments put forth by his administration.
Trump has been pressuring for months for his country to regain influence over the Panama Canal, but this Saturday he expanded his demands to the strategic Egyptian route of Suez.
Although the United States did not participate in the construction of the Suez Canal, Trump's statement can be interpreted as a reference to Washington's historical and current role in protecting strategic routes of global trade.
Analysts suggest that his comment reflects more of a stance on the U.S. military and geopolitical influence in the secure operation of these channels, rather than a literal claim regarding their construction.
His statement comes in a context of global tensions affecting maritime routes, particularly following the attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, which have forced traffic to be diverted to longer and more costly routes.
From Panama, President José Raúl Mulino recalled that the canal fees are regulated by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an autonomous organization, and emphasized that "there is no contrary agreement" allowing exemptions.
In parallel, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, visited Panama City and raised the possibility of negotiating free passage for warships, even hinting at the return of U.S. troops to "secure" the canal, a proposal that was immediately rejected by Panamanian authorities.
The Suez Canal, for its part, has seen its revenues fall by 60% in 2024, due to security risks in the Red Sea. Egypt is facing a loss of $7 billion, exacerbated by the need to divert maritime trade to longer routes.
In response to the Houthi attacks, the United States military has intensified its operations since January 2024, a campaign that Trump promised to continue until the safety of international commercial navigation is ensured.
The pressure from Trump on the Panama Canal
Donald Trump's recent demand for free passage through the Panama and Suez Canals is part of a broader diplomatic offensive that began months ago, particularly focused on controlling the Panama Canal.
Since late 2024, Trump has reiterated his desire for the United States to regain influence over that interoceanic route, arguing national security concerns and China's increasing role in its operational environment.
In March 2025, Trump formally tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio with the mission to "retrieve" the Canal, deeming it a priority for his administration.
Although the statement was made in a somewhat joking tone, alluding to the idea that if the management failed it would be Rubio's fault, it reflected the seriousness with which his administration addresses the issue. Trump asserted that the handover of the canal to Panama in 1977 was "an unjustified concession" and accused China of "violating and manipulating" the original agreement.
The reaction of the Panamanian government has been firm. President José Raúl Mulino publicly rejected Trump's assertions, reaffirming that the Canal is and will continue to be Panama's. He also denied any negotiations regarding its recovery during bilateral talks with the United States.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has hailed the acquisition of the main ports adjacent to the canal by the American firm BlackRock, following its purchase from the Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison, as a "first step" aimed at diminishing Chinese influence in the region.
Trump's Offensive on the Panama Canal, now coupled with his demands regarding the Suez Canal, indicates a larger effort to reaffirm the United States' hegemony over key global trade routes.
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