Business
Trump demands free passage for American ships through Panama, Suez
MxM News
Quick Hit:
President Donald Trump is pushing for U.S. ships to transit the Panama and Suez canals without paying tolls, arguing the waterways would not exist without America.
Key Details:
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In a Saturday Truth Social post, Trump said, “American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals! Those Canals would not exist without the United States of America.”
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Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “immediately take care of, and memorialize” the issue, signaling a potential new diplomatic initiative with Panama and Egypt.
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The Panama Canal generated about $3.3 billion in toll revenue in fiscal 2023, while the Suez Canal posted a record $9.4 billion. U.S. vessels account for roughly 70% of Panama Canal traffic, according to government figures.
Diving Deeper:
President Donald Trump is pressing for American ships to receive free passage through two of the world’s most critical shipping lanes—the Panama and Suez canals—a move he argues would recognize the United States’ historic role in making both waterways possible. In a post shared Saturday on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “American Ships, both Military and Commercial, should be allowed to travel, free of charge, through the Panama and Suez Canals! Those Canals would not exist without the United States of America.”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 26, 2025
Trump added that he has instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “immediately take care of, and memorialize” the situation. His comments, first reported by FactSet, come as U.S. companies face rising shipping costs, with tolls for major vessels ranging from $200,000 to over $500,000 per Panama Canal crossing, based on canal authority schedules.
The Suez Canal, operated by Egypt, reportedly saw record revenues of $9.4 billion in 2023, largely driven by American and European shipping amid ongoing Red Sea instability. After a surge in attacks by Houthi militants on commercial ships earlier this year, Trump authorized a sustained military campaign targeting missile and drone sites in northern Yemen. The Pentagon said the strikes were part of an effort to “permanently restore freedom of navigation” for global shipping near the Suez Canal.
Trump has framed the military operations as part of a broader strategy to counter Iranian-backed destabilization efforts across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, in Central America, Trump’s administration is working to counter Chinese influence near the Panama Canal. On April 9th, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an expanded partnership with Panama to bolster canal security, including a memorandum of understanding allowing U.S. warships and support vessels to move “first and free” through the canal. “The Panama Canal is key terrain that must be secured by Panama, with America, and not China,” Hegseth emphasized during a press conference in Panama City.
American commercial shipping has long depended on the canal, which reduces the shipping route between the U.S. East Coast and Asia by nearly 8,000 miles. About 40% of all U.S. container traffic uses the Panama Canal annually, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.
The United States originally constructed and controlled the Panama Canal following a monumental effort championed by President Theodore Roosevelt in the early 20th century. After backing Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903, the U.S. secured the rights to build and operate the canal, which opened in 1914. Although U.S. control ended in 1999 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, the canal remains vital to U.S. trade.
From LifeSiteNews
Regeneron said it will act ethically when it acquires data on 15 million Americans from 23andMe.
A Big Pharma company will acquire genetic data on 15 million people after purchasing DNA testing company 23andMe in a bankruptcy auction.
“Drugmaker Regeneron Pharmaceuticals will buy genetic testing firm 23andMe for $256 million through a bankruptcy auction,” CNN reported.
“Regeneron said it will comply with 23andMe’s privacy policies and applicable laws with respect to the use of customer data and that it is ready to detail its intended use of the data to a court-appointed overseer,” the news outlet reported.
23andMe already suffered a privacy breach of its sensitive genetic information.
While Regeneron said it will protect data, many people may still have concerns.
Users wishing to delete their genetic data can do so, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who issued a “consumer alert” when 23andMe first filed for bankruptcy in March. He explained how people can log into their account and delete their data.
Quick Hit:
President Trump on Friday threatened Apple with a 25% tariff if iPhones sold in the U.S. are not manufactured domestically. In a post to Truth Social, Trump said Apple must stop producing iPhones in India or China and bring manufacturing back to the United States.
Key Details:
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In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”
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Apple’s stock reportedly dropped around 3% in premarket trading following Trump’s announcement.
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Trump’s demand follows a broader push to penalize companies that manufacture overseas. He also floated a 50% tariff on European Union imports.
Diving Deeper:
President Donald Trump on Friday issued a fresh warning to Apple, demanding the tech giant bring iPhone manufacturing back to the United States or face a stiff tariff. In a Truth Social post, Trump directly addressed Apple CEO Tim Cook, declaring that iPhones sold in the U.S. must no longer be produced in India or any other country abroad.
“I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump wrote. “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”
The statement rattled markets early Friday, with Apple shares falling about 3% in premarket trading.
While Apple has historically relied on China for the bulk of its iPhone production, it has recently begun shifting some operations to India—moves largely aimed at diversifying its supply chain amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and pandemic-era disruptions. Trump’s post signals that even this shift away from China may not be sufficient to satisfy his America-first trade vision.
According to a recent Politico report, Trump and Cook met Tuesday at the White House. Though Cook has made overtures toward Trump in the past—including attending his inauguration and pledging a $1 million donation—Apple has continued its offshore production strategy, frustrating Trump’s push for domestic job creation.
Despite this, Apple has committed to a $500 billion investment in the U.S., including development of AI server infrastructure in Houston, Texas. Whether that’s enough to blunt Trump’s tariff threat remains to be seen.
In a separate post Friday, Trump also advocated for a sweeping 50% tariff on goods imported from the European Union, signaling a renewed appetite for aggressive trade measures should he return to office.
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