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Wonder Why

(5,595 posts) Mon Apr 28, 2025, 09:58 AM Monday

Trump says US ships should have free use of Panama and Suez canals. What about Margo Lardo?

According to the Guardian, "Trump says US ships should have free use of Panama and Suez canals".

Donald Trump has demanded free transit for American commercial and military ships through the Panama and Suez canals, tasking his secretary of state with making progress “immediately”.

Trump has for months been calling for the United States to take control of the Panama canal but his social media post also shifted focus on to the vital Suez route. “American ships, both military and commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez canals!” Trump posted on Saturday.

He claimed both routes would “not exist” without the US and said he had asked his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, to “immediately take care of” the situation.

If that's the case, shouldn't all American have free use of his Margo-Lardo?

I just put in for free accommodations at the presidential suite. I have my gas mask and a camera to take a selfie on the golden toilet while reading classified docs.

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Trump says US ships should have free use of Panama and Suez canals. What about Margo Lardo? (Original Post) Wonder Why Monday OP

So because a territory once belonged to or was controlled by the US, Ocelot II Monday #1

As I understand it, Panama can show no favoritism underpants Monday #5

Yep. But Trump is *special* and he gets what he wants. Ocelot II Monday #6

This country had nothing to do with building the Suez canal question everything Monday #2

It was first built by the French and operated for a while by a French/English company, Ocelot II Monday #8

We now are fighting the Houtis who attack traffic in the red sea traveling between the Suez Canal question everything Monday #9

Exactly. Using the canal for free wouldn't make a damn bit of difference Ocelot II Monday #10

He just can't stand it that things aren't "his" or that he can't bend leaders and nations to his will. NCDem47 Monday #3

There wont be any cargo ships with US trade Johonny Monday #4

World's biggest jackass strikes again. yorkster Monday #7

Ocelot II

(124,508 posts)

1. So because a territory once belonged to or was controlled by the US,

Reply to Wonder Why (Original post)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 10:03 AM

Monday

Trump's logic is that we should be able to have free use of it forever? Wouldn't that same logic mean that Mexico gets to help itself to most of the Southwest plus Texas?

underpants

(190,250 posts)

5. As I understand it, Panama can show no favoritism

Reply to Ocelot II (Reply #1)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 10:10 AM

Monday

I read that when this nonsense started. In the agreement to give the canal to Panama it states that they charge the same standard rates to everyone. They can’t use it as leverage on or for anyone.

Ocelot II

(124,508 posts)

6. Yep. But Trump is *special* and he gets what he wants.

Reply to underpants (Reply #5)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 10:11 AM

Monday

question everything

(50,152 posts)

2. This country had nothing to do with building the Suez canal

Reply to Wonder Why (Original post)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 10:06 AM

Monday

Ocelot II

(124,508 posts)

8. It was first built by the French and operated for a while by a French/English company,

Reply to question everything (Reply #2)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 10:23 AM

Monday

and it is now owned and operated by Egypt. The UN sent troops in the '50s to keep the canal open after the Suez crisis, but the US had no direct involvement in the canal until the '70s after the Yom Kippur War, when US ships and helicopters were sent to clear mines. The canal is now under the exclusive control of Egypt. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suez_Canal

I don't know why Trump thinks the US is entitled to free use of it because we cleared out some mines 40 years ago. Maybe just because he's Trump.

question everything

(50,152 posts)

9. We now are fighting the Houtis who attack traffic in the red sea traveling between the Suez Canal

Reply to Ocelot II (Reply #8)

Mon Apr 28, 2025, 12:10 PM

Monday

and the Indian Ocean.

This does not mean that we should have a free passage in the Canal. We are there as part of the overall Middle East strategy that includes Iran and Saudi Arabia.