On a ceasefire effort between Fox News Senior Strategic Analyst General Jack Keen (Rit.) Russia and Ukraine, Iran warned of a ‘strong’ response to any US attack and China’s participation in the sale of Panama Canal ports.
President Donald Trump The world’s two most important shipping lane is making a lower-rich case for free American access-a step that can save US companies hundreds of million per year per year.
Posting the truth social Saturday, Trump announced, “Both American ships, both military and commercial, should be allowed to travel for free, through Panama and Suez Canals! They will not be present without the United States.”
“I have asked State Secretary Marco Rubio to take care immediately, and remember this situation!”
According to the Panama Canal Authority alone, the Panama Canal manages around 14,000 transit per year.
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According to the US Department of Transportation Data, in the financial year 2023, it produced about $ 3.3 billion in toll revenue, with US ships about 70% of the total canal traffic.
American Shippers – Companies such as Maersk (US Branch), MSC and major energy exporters – are some of the biggest customers in the canal.
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On the Panama Canal, Panama, on August 12, 2024, a cargo ship and tugboat Pal Panama Canal. (Arnuflow Franco / AFP Getty Image / Getty Image)
Depending on the pricing program of the Canal Authority, on an average to cross the Panama Canal, a commercial vessel costs from $ 200,000 to $ 450,000 to cross the Panama Canal. In some cases – such as liquefied natural gas carriers – toll per transit can reach more than $ 500,000.
The Suez Canal, meanwhile, charge the standing rates in the same way. Egyptian Suez Canal Authority reported $ 9.4 billion in revenue in 2023, an all -time high, heavy among the red sea disruption by the US and European shipping.
In early 2025, after a wave of Hauthi drones and missile attacks on the Red Sea Shipping Lane, Trump authorized a continuous firebombing campaign targeting Houthi missile sites, radar installations and drone launch platforms in the northern Yemen.
A cargo ship travels on the Suez Canal in Ismailia province, Egypt, 13 January, 2024. (Ahmed Goma / Xinhua Getty Image / Getty Image)
US air and naval forces have carried out dozens of accurate attacks to neutralize the abilities, the Pentagon officials said the target is “permanently restoring the freedom of navigation”, which is for the commercial shipping title towards the Suez Canal.
Trump has implicated the strike as part of the widespread attempt to push back against the Iranian influence throughout the region.
In Central America, Trump’s push to a free route as their administration moves against the Chinese influence to increase security around the Panama Canal.
On 9 April, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an extended US-Panama partnership to secure the canal and signed a memorandum of a memorandum, including a plan for American warships and support ships to transfer “first and free” through the waterway.
“Panama Canal is a major area that should be secured by the US by Panama, and Not China“Hegseth told a press conference in Panama City.
Aerial view of the Panama Canal in the area of ​​Pedro Miguel lock in Panama city. (Through Luis Acosta / AFP Getty Image / Getty Image)
American commercial shipping interests have long been dependent on the Panama Canal, which cuts about 8,000 miles from the shipping route between the US East Coast and Asia. According to US Maritime Administration, all US containers use about 40% of the canal each year.
Historically, the US built and control the Panama Canal in the early 20th century after an attempt by President Theodore Roosevelt led by President Theodore Roosevelt. After the independence of Panama, and supported by American military support in 1903, the US secured the rights of construction and operation of the canal under the He-Banau-Varila Treaty.
The canal was opened in 1914, which became a major symbol of American economic and technical power. The US Control ended under the Torizos-Corporation treaties in 1999, but the waterway is essential for American trade flow.
In addition to military and strategic implications, Trump’s proposal can give direct financial benefits to American companies, especially in energy, agriculture and manufacturing sectors that greatly rely on sea exports and imports.
It remains to be seen whether State Secretary Marco Rubio will carry forward Trump’s instructions through Panama and Egypt through diplomacy, economic pressure or future agreements.
