Donald Trump has called for American ships to have free access through the Panama and Suez canals, directly tasking Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the issue. Trump argues that both canals wouldn't exist without U.S. support and seeks control over them. The Panamanian government maintains that tolls are regulated independently. The situation is further complicated by rising tensions in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels threaten maritime security. The U.S. military has actively targeted Houthi positions to safeguard shipping, especially as Suez canal revenues have drastically declined amid ongoing conflicts.
Trump has for months been calling for the United States to take control of the Panama Canal but his social media post also shifted focus on to the vital Suez route.
American ships, both military and commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez canals! Trump posted on Saturday.
The Panamanian president, Jose Raul Mulino, without directly referencing Trump said on Saturday that toll fees were regulated by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), an autonomous governing body that oversees the trade route.
The US military has been attacking Houthi positions since January 2024 and those assaults have intensified under Trump, with almost daily strikes in the past month.
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