Donald Trump: US Ships Should Enjoy Free Passage through Panama and Suez Canals

Advisor at the Strategic Studies Center of the Military Academy for Post-graduate Studies, Major General Dr. Wael Rabie, affirmed that the US President's statement contradicted legal principles related to freedom of navigation, national sovereignty, and relevant international treaties. Under international law, the Suez Canal lies within the territory of a sovereign state; it was built by Egyptian hands with Egyptian funding. Regulating its passage is an exclusively Egyptian decision. He added that all ships using international waterways must pay transit fees without discrimination, a rule that Egypt applies fairly to all countries.

Ambassador Hussein Haridy, former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that reactions to the US President’s remarks should be calm and prudent. He affirmed that Egyptian diplomacy was fully capable of handling the situation. He explained that the US position on the Panama Canal differed from that on the Suez Canal, as the United States played a role in constructing the Panama Canal. Ambassador Haridy pointed out that President Trump raised concerns over the Panama Canal and Chinese influence there during the start of his second term. However, he emphasized that the circumstances surrounding the Suez Canal were entirely different.

Dr. Ayman Salama, Professor of International Law, explained that the 1888 Constantinople Convention states that the Suez Canal is “neutral” regarding the setting of fees, privileges, and exemptions. He added that under Egyptian law, and since the nationalization of the canal in 1956, the Suez Canal has been a national Egyptian entity. Egypt is the only country with the authority to impose fees and regulate all matters related to the canal, with no exceptions granted to any country.

Dr. Mohamed Mehran, an expert in international law, affirmed that international law granted Egypt full sovereignty over the Suez Canal and the right to set transit fees based on the cost of services provided to passing ships. He emphasized that, despite facing significant challenges, Egypt will not succumb to external pressures.