United States President, Trump, insists on unrestricted passage for American vessels through the Panama and Suez canals.
Trump's recent call for free passage of American ships through the Panama and Suez canals showcases his determination to boost U.S. influence in vital shipping and naval waterways. This renewed focus takes a swing at Chinese dominance in these regions.
Trump, since his return to the White House in January, has been eager to oust Chinese port operators from the Panama Canal and has now set his sights on the Suez Canal as well. In a post on his Truth Social network, he expressed concern for the Suez Canal, which runs through Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Trump argued that the canal's existence owes its existence in part to the United States. He urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to tackle the matter promptly.
Trump's strategy, accompanied by tariffs and other measures like proposed fees at U.S. ports, primarily targets Chinese commercial shipping and shipbuilding. His ultimate objective is to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding, claiming that China's superior shipbuilding milestones are the result of unfair practices that harm U.S. interests.
The U.S.'s commercial shipbuilding sector, once a global powerhouse, has suffered significantly since the 1980s due to budget cuts and foreign competition.
In February, Panama promised free passage for U.S. warships through the canal, mainly used by the U.S. and China. Trump previously condemned Chinese influence over the waterway and even threatened to reclaim it. A sale of Panamanian port assets by CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. to a Blackrock Inc.-led consortium faces opposition from China and a financial dispute with Panama.
Interestingly, the U.S. Defense Department announced in April 2025 a framework agreement with Panama, granting U.S. warships and auxiliary vessels "first and free" passage through the canal. However, commercial shipping still has to pay tolls. Trump, in the past, has demanded free passage for all American ships to reflect historical U.S. contributions to the canal's construction. No such agreements exist yet for the Suez Canal, where the U.S. lacks a direct ownership legacy to leverage. Nonetheless, Trump's call for free U.S. transit through both canals underscores his ambition for American dominance in global navigation ways.
- Senator Marco Rubio, as per Trump's urging on his Truth Social network, is now tasked with addressing the issue of American ships passing freely through the Suez Canal, particularly given its passage through Egypt.
- In line with Trump's strategy, tariffs and proposed fees at U.S. ports are being implemented primarily to challenge Chinese dominance in commercial shipping and shipbuilding industries.
- General news outlets have reported that Trump's long-standing goal is to revitalize the once powerful American shipbuilding sector, which has suffered significantly since the 1980s, in part due to foreign competition.
- With Panama granting free passage for U.S. warships through the Panama Canal, a similar demand for free passage for all American ships in the Suez Canal has emerged, reflecting historical U.S. contributions to both canal's construction.
- The politics surrounding the Suez Canal's free passage for American ships is complex, as the U.S., unlike Panama, does not have a direct ownership legacy to leverage in negotiations.
- Trump's persistent calls for U.S. dominance in global navigation ways, as demonstrated by his push for free passage through the Panama and Suez canals, have raised concerns within the realm of policy and legislation, as well as the broader industry and transportation sectors alike.
