Trump Demands Free Passage for U.S. Ships Through Panama Canal and Suez Canal

Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that American ships should be allowed to travel **freely** through the **Panama Canal** and the **Suez Canal** without any charges.

According to foreign media reports, President Trump has directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to **immediately address** the situation and to “keep it in mind” for future action.

Previously, Trump had warned that if the Panama Canal was not managed in a satisfactory manner, he would demand that the United States **reclaim control** of the canal.
It is worth noting that the U.S. had managed the construction and operation of the Panama Canal and its surrounding areas for decades before **handing full control over to Panama in 1999**.