The United States State Department announced on Wednesday a new agreement with the Panamanian authorities to abolish charging fees for US government boats.
“The government of Panama has agreed to no longer charge fees for U.S. government vessels to transit the Panama Canal,” the State Department stated in an X post Wednesday night.
The new pact will save the US government millions of dollars each year, according to authorities.
After meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, Panama President José Raúl Mulino pledged to discontinue a significant economic agreement with China.
During his visit, former Florida Senator Rubio stated in a post on X that “the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area.”
President Donald Trump has openly blasted the six-figure charges placed on US ships passing through the canal and has proposed repurchasing it.
According to the State Department, more than 70% of all boats passing through the canal are heading for or coming from US ports. It is also an important transit point for US Coast Guard and Department of Defense ships.
Ships would have to travel an additional 8,000 miles across South America to avoid utilizing the corridor.
According to the State Department, more than 70% of all boats passing through the canal are heading for or coming from US ports. It is also an important transit point for US Coast Guard and Department of Defense ships.
Ships would have to travel an additional 8,000 miles across South America to avoid utilizing the corridor.
