President Trump: Truth Social Post
President Trump posted the following statement on Truth Social: “American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals! Those Canals would not exist without the United States of America. I’ve asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take care of, and memorialize, this situation!”
President Trump is asserting that all American ships—whether they belong to the United States military or are part of the civilian commercial fleet—ought to have the right to pass through two of the world’s most critical maritime passages, the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal, without having to pay any transit fees. He justifies this demand by referencing the historical role of the United States in the creation and maintenance of these canals, particularly highlighting the significant involvement of the U.S. in the construction and operation of the Panama Canal, and the support provided in keeping the Suez Canal operational.
Trump further states that he has directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address this issue immediately. “Take care of” suggests he wants Rubio to negotiate or assert this policy with the governments or authorities in charge of the Panama and Suez Canals. “Memorialize” implies that he wants this new arrangement to be formally recorded or established as an official policy or agreement.
– If taken literally, President Trump is calling for American vessels to be exempt from tolls or fees that are typically charged to all ships for the use of these international waterways.
– The statement appeals to a sense of national pride and U.S. contributions to global infrastructure, particularly regarding the Panama Canal, which was built and operated by the U.S. until 1999.
– Asking the Secretary of State to act on this indicates Trump’s intention to use diplomatic channels to pursue this policy change.
– The post reflects Trump’s America-first perspective, seeking privileges for U.S. interests based on historical contributions.
– The Panama Canal was constructed by the United States in the early 20th century and was under U.S. administration until its transfer to Panama in 1999.
– The Suez Canal, located in Egypt, has always been under foreign or Egyptian control, though the U.S. has been involved in various ways throughout its history.
– Both canals charge fees to all ships passing through, regardless of nationality, to cover operational costs and generate revenue for their respective countries.
