American service ships are free to use Panama canal

“With the consent of Panama, US -duty ships can now go through Panama Canal without paying, helping the government save millions of dollars each year,” the US Department of State announced on social network X X. February 5.

Panama canal management agency has not yet spoken about this information.

This is the first announcement of the commitments that Foreign Minister Marco Rubio mentioned after the trip to Central America to meet Panama President Jose Raul Mulino on February 2. US Secretary of State said Panama gave in, after he told President Mulino that it was unfair when the US defended this important waterway but still had to pay for use.

Panama canal is 82 km long, is the arterial waterway connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic, significantly shortening the journey between the two areas and allowing boats not to cross the southernmost South American pole. About 5% of the global maritime flow goes through Panama canal each year.

The United States has built Panama canal and territorial management around this canal for decades. The US Government handed over the entire right to manage the canal to Panama in 1999, after the time the two sides co -managed.

Panama canal is an important route that many naval ships, official ships and US cargo ships pass. 40% of American container flow goes through this canal.

In the inauguration speech on January 20, President Donald Trump threatened to regain control of Panama canal. He did not rule out the ability to use force for Panama, sparking many criticisms from both allies and rivals Washington in Latin America.

During the talks in Panama, Foreign Minister Rubio emphasized to President Mulino that China’s presence in Panama canal was a threat to this important waterway and violating the US -Panama Treaty. Mr. Trump and Mr. Rubio previously complained about Chinese investments, including ports on both sides of the canal, and warned Beijing could close this waterway with the United States if the crisis broke out. .

Panama resolutely denied Trump’s allegations that China was given the role of operating the canal. In a move to alleviate US concerns, President Mulino said Panama would not continue to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Infrastructure Building Program initiated by China.

However, President Trump said he was still “unhappy”, although Panama “agreed on some things”. The US and Panama plans to organize new negotiations on February 7 to discuss the canal.

The Pentagon announced that during the phone call on February 5, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Mulino agreed to expand cooperation between the US military and the Panama security force.

“They agreed on the strong relationship and many security benefits that the US and Panama shared, including the protection of Panama canal,” the Pentagon spokesman said.