Trump: American ships should be allowed to freely pass through the Suez Canal and Panama Canal
US President Donald Trump has called for free passage of American ships on two important shipping routes - the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal.
The Panama Canal in Central America connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The Suez Canal in the Middle East connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted that the United States will regain control of the Panama Canal in Central America. The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and Trump claims that the canal is under Chinese influence.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the United States mainly built this canal and managed the surrounding territory for decades. According to a treaty signed during the presidency of Jimmy Carter in 1977, Washington transferred control of this waterway to Panama in 1999.
It is estimated that an average of 5% of global maritime trade passes through this 82 kilometer artificial waterway every year. This shortcut greatly reduces the time for ships to navigate between the two oceans, allowing them to avoid bypassing the southernmost Drake Passage or Magellan Strait in South America. It helps transport goods worth approximately $270 billion annually, accounting for about 40% of the container transportation volume in the United States.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated during a visit to Panama City that the US is seeking an agreement that would allow US warships to pass through the Panama Canal "first and for free". He also proposed the idea of the US military returning to Panama to "protect" its strategically crucial canal.
At the same time, Trump's demands for the Suez route represent a new shift in focus. The Suez Canal is the main economic lifeline of Egypt, bringing billions of dollars in revenue and an important shipping artery.
This 193 kilometer route connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea was opened in 1869 and attracted approximately 12% to 15% of global trade and 30% of global container transportation before the Houthi militants attacked the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden routes in Yemen.
During the Red Sea crisis, Egypt's shipping revenue decreased by over 50% as ships began to sail around the southern tip of Africa. Since January last year, the United States has been attacking the Houthis, and under Trump's leadership, this battle has escalated. Trump has promised to pressure Iran backed militants until they no longer pose a threat to shipping.
The Panama Canal in Central America connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The Suez Canal in the Middle East connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted that the United States will regain control of the Panama Canal in Central America. The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and Trump claims that the canal is under Chinese influence.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the United States mainly built this canal and managed the surrounding territory for decades. According to a treaty signed during the presidency of Jimmy Carter in 1977, Washington transferred control of this waterway to Panama in 1999.
It is estimated that an average of 5% of global maritime trade passes through this 82 kilometer artificial waterway every year. This shortcut greatly reduces the time for ships to navigate between the two oceans, allowing them to avoid bypassing the southernmost Drake Passage or Magellan Strait in South America. It helps transport goods worth approximately $270 billion annually, accounting for about 40% of the container transportation volume in the United States.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently stated during a visit to Panama City that the US is seeking an agreement that would allow US warships to pass through the Panama Canal "first and for free". He also proposed the idea of the US military returning to Panama to "protect" its strategically crucial canal.
At the same time, Trump's demands for the Suez route represent a new shift in focus. The Suez Canal is the main economic lifeline of Egypt, bringing billions of dollars in revenue and an important shipping artery.
This 193 kilometer route connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea was opened in 1869 and attracted approximately 12% to 15% of global trade and 30% of global container transportation before the Houthi militants attacked the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden routes in Yemen.
During the Red Sea crisis, Egypt's shipping revenue decreased by over 50% as ships began to sail around the southern tip of Africa. Since January last year, the United States has been attacking the Houthis, and under Trump's leadership, this battle has escalated. Trump has promised to pressure Iran backed militants until they no longer pose a threat to shipping.
