Trump demands free passage for the US Navy through key canals
President Donald Trump has issued a demand concerning American units. In a statement on the Truth Social platform, he tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio with immediately addressing the issue of free access to the Panama and Suez Canals for the American fleet and navy.
The Panama Canal, as the narrowest part of the isthmus connecting North and South America, allows ships to move swiftly between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Approximately 40 percent of the United States' annual container transport passes through this strategic waterway, highlighting its crucial importance to the American economy.
The Egyptian Suez Canal, which links the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, is one of the most strategically important commercial waterways in the world. Its significance for global maritime transport is invaluable, as it significantly shortens the route between Europe and Asia.
History of American involvement in the Panama Canal
The United States completed the construction of the Panama Canal at the start of the 20th century, but in 1999 handed over control of this strategic route to the authorities of Panama. Since taking office in January this year, President Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to restore American control over the canal, not ruling out the use of military means.
Trump accuses the Panamanian authorities of charging excessive fees to American ships and allowing China's influence over the management of this crucial waterway. These allegations form part of a broader policy of the Trump administration aimed at limiting Chinese influence in the Latin American region.
At the start of April, an intergovernmental agreement was signed, under which Panama agreed to the presence of the American military near the canal and the surrounding areas. However, it is important to note that this agreement explicitly excludes the possibility of establishing permanent US military bases on Panamanian territory.
President Trump's demands for free access to both canals could significantly impact diplomatic relations with both Panama and Egypt. Both countries derive significant revenue from fees for using these strategic waterways, and potentially exempting American units from these fees would mean substantial financial losses for them.
