US Government Ships to Sail Through Panama Canal for Free

washington - Panama agrees to waive fees for US government ships passing through the canal, citing defense partnership.

US Government Ships Granted Free Passage through Panama Canal

The Panamanian government has decided to allow American government vessels to pass through the Panama Canal without any charges. This decision comes after Minister of Foreign Affairs Marco Rubio raised concerns about the fairness of the US defending the canal while still having to pay for its use.

Approximately 40% of US container traffic goes through the Panama Canal, making it a crucial route for American trade. President Donald Trump and Rubio have expressed worries about Chinese investments in ports located at both ends of the canal, with Trump repeatedly accusing China of involvement in the canal's operations. Panama has strongly denied these allegations.