CAIRO, Egypt —U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent call for the free passage of American ships through the Suez Canal has ignited widespread condemnation from Egyptian leaders, legal experts, and citizens, all of whom have denounced his comments as a blatant disregard for international law and Egyptian sovereignty.
On Saturday, Trump took to Truth Social, a platform he owns, to demand that U.S. military and commercial vessels be allowed to pass through both the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal without charge.
In his post, Trump controversially claimed that these vital waterways “would not exist” without the U.S. and directed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to “take care of and memorialize” the issue immediately.
His remarks have been met with fierce opposition in Egypt, with many viewing them as a direct challenge to the country’s sovereignty over the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most critical trade routes.
Ayman Salama, a professor of international law at Cairo University, expressed alarm over Trump’s “legally baseless” claims, stressing that the 1888 Constantinople Convention, which governs the Suez Canal, guarantees the right of all countries to use the waterway, free from the interference of individual states.
He also warned that such statements could pave the way for violations of international law, leading to disruptions in global trade and the destabilization of the international order.
“This is a serious threat to international peace, security, and public order,” Salama said. “Trump’s remarks undermine the sovereignty of coastal states, like Egypt, and could lead to interference in their internal affairs.”
The Suez Canal, a vital waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, has long been a symbol of Egyptian national pride and economic power.
The canal generates significant revenue for Egypt, contributing billions to the country’s economy.
Samaa Soliman, deputy chairman of the Foreign, Arab, and African Affairs Committee of Egypt’s Senate, affirmed that Egypt alone is responsible for the security and management of the canal.
He called Trump’s statements an unjustified interference in Egypt’s sovereign affairs.
“Only Egypt is responsible for the protection and management of the Suez Canal,” Soliman said. “The revenues generated from the canal’s transit fees are crucial to our national economy and serve the interests of the Egyptian people.”
The controversy also reignited longstanding criticisms of U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding its stance on the Palestinian issue and its failure to address instability in the region, including the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Soliman and other leaders noted that U.S. actions have historically worsened tensions in the region, further complicating Egypt’s security and economic challenges.
In a statement issued Sunday, Sayed Abdel Aal, president of Egypt’s socialist Tagammu Party, condemned Trump’s remarks, accusing the former president of seeking to impose an “economic colonialism” model under the guise of free passage rights.
“Trump’s comments represent more than just provocative rhetoric; they expose a colonial mentality,” said Abdel Aal. “The canal fees are fair and based on international standards — they are not for the United States to decide.”
The Egyptian government’s economic situation has also worsened in recent years, with revenues from the Suez Canal falling by more than 60% in 2024 due to regional tensions and global trade disruptions.
According to the Suez Canal Authority, this decline resulted in a loss of nearly $7 billion.
The Egyptian Parties Alliance, a coalition of 42 political parties, also strongly criticized Trump’s remarks, accusing him of ignoring historical facts.
The alliance reaffirmed Egypt’s right to manage the canal as an essential part of the country’s sovereignty and national heritage.
Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. deserves credit for the canal’s existence has sparked fierce backlash on Egyptian social media, with many users recalling Egypt’s nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956, a defining moment in the country’s modern history.
One viral post expressed the sentiment of many Egyptians: “Our grandfathers built the Suez Canal with their blood when America was engulfed in civil war. We will continue the course of our ancestors, and Trump will not impose his conditions on us.”
The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, remains a critical chokepoint for global trade.
Despite its history of colonial control under French and British rule, the canal has remained a symbol of Egypt’s resilience and national pride since its nationalization under President Gamal Abdel Nasser.
