Trump says US ships should be allowed to travel through the Panama and Suez canals for free

"I’ve asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation," the US president says in a post on Truth Social

US President Donald Trump gestures upon arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport, after attending Pope Francis' funeral, in Newark, New Jersey, US, Apr 26, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that American military and commercial ships should be allowed to travel through the Panama Canal and Suez Canal free of charge.

"I’ve asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The Panama Canal crosses the narrowest part of the isthmus between North and South America, allowing ships to move more quickly between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It carries about 40% of US container traffic each year.

The US completed construction of the canal in the early 20th century but gave control of the strategically important waterway to Panama in 1999.

Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to "take back" the canal. Before taking office in January, he told reporters that he would not rule out using economic or military force to regain control over the canal.