Trump demands free access for US ships through Panama, Suez canals
3 Min Read
Trump urges free passage for US ships through the Panama Canal and Suez Canal, reigniting control debates while escalating attacks on Yemen.
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President Donald Trump points as he arrives at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey., on April 26, 2025. (AP)
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that American military and commercial ships should be allowed to transit the Panama Canal and Suez Canal without paying any fees.
"I’ve asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation," Trump stated on Truth Social.
US strategic interests in the Panama, Suez canals
The Panama Canal is crucial to US trade, managing nearly 40% of American container traffic annually. Spanning approximately 82 kilometers across the Panamanian isthmus, it provides a vital maritime shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, bypassing the long and costly route around South America.
Annually, about $270 billion worth of goods pass through the canal, with over 70% of this traffic linked to US commerce. The canal plays a key role in transporting energy, agricultural products, and manufactured goods between US ports and major markets in Asia and Europe.
Though the United States completed the canal’s construction in the early 20th century, control was transferred to Panama in 1999. President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to "take back" the Panama Canal, suggesting he may pursue economic or military measures to achieve this, an assertion reflecting his aggressive foreign policy stance.
Meanwhile, the Suez Canal remains essential for global trade, handling approximately 12% of worldwide commerce and 30% of container traffic. As the shortest sea route between Europe and Asia, more than 19,000 ships traverse the Suez Canal each year. This passage is particularly significant for US trade, ensuring the smooth flow of goods and energy supplies between the US, Europe, and Asia.
Read more: US will not allow China to jeopardize Panama Canal operations: Hegseth
US aggression in Yemen amid Red Sea tensions
In parallel, the Trump administration has escalated its military campaign on Yemen, following the support shown by the Yemeni Armed Forces for the Palestinian people amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Operation Rough Rider and its civilian toll
Since mid-March 2025, the US has intensified its air and naval operations under "Operation Rough Rider", targeting both civilian and military infrastructure in Yemen.
The operation has caused hundreds of civilian casualties, with widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, energy facilities, and even a graveyard in Sanaa.
US pushes Europe to share Red Sea military costs
In light of the Red Sea’s strategic importance, US officials have discussed the possibility of European countries contributing financially to the military efforts, given the waterway’s critical role in European trade.
Read more: How Signal leak saga overshadowed US attack on Yemeni civilian home
