Trump demands U.S. ships travel free through Panama and Suez canals, citing America's role in building and protecting the world's key shipping routes.

Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to "take back" the Panama canal. Before taking office in January, he said that he would not rule out using economic or military force to regain control over the canal.

US President Donald Trump believes that American military and commercial ships should be allowed to pass through the Panama and Suez Canals free of charge, according to a post by the American leader on Truth Social.