US President Donald Trump's recent call for toll-free access for American ships through Egypt’s Suez Canal has sparked widespread criticism across Egypt, with legal scholars, political figures, and citizens condemning the demand as both legally unfounded and a threat to international norms.
In a Saturday post on Truth Social — the platform he predominantly owns — Trump insisted that US military and commercial vessels should pass through the Suez and Panama canals without paying fees. He asserted that neither canal "would exist" without American involvement and said he had instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "take care of, and memorialize, this situation."
"Trump's proposals about international waterways constitute a serious threat to international peace, security, and public order," said Ayman Salama, a professor of international law at Cairo University, in remarks to Xinhua on Monday.
Salama referred to the 1888 Constantinople Convention, which established key legal principles for the operation of the Suez Canal, emphasizing equal access for all nations. He argued Trump’s remarks disregard the sovereignty of coastal nations and the legal principle of non-interference in domestic affairs, posing potential risks to global trade and economic stability.
Calling the statements "legally baseless," Salama urged the international community to uphold maritime law and resist attempts to undermine the established legal framework for navigation.
Samaa Soliman, deputy chairman of the Egyptian Senate's Foreign, Arab, and African Affairs Committee, stressed Monday that "only Egypt is responsible for securing and protecting the Suez Canal," adding that the transit fees are a vital national revenue stream that supports the economy and public services.
She labeled Trump’s comments as "unjustified interference in the affairs of a sovereign state, and is inconsistent with the principle of mutual respect between states." Soliman also blamed U.S. policies for contributing to regional instability, citing Washington's stance on the Palestinian issue and its inaction against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
According to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Egypt’s revenue from the canal dropped by over 60 percent year-on-year in 2024 due to tensions in the Red Sea, resulting in a loss of nearly $7 billion.
Sayed Abdel Aal, head of Egypt’s socialist Tagammu Party, called Trump’s statement "provocative rhetoric" and said it reflects "a hateful colonial mentality." He noted that canal fees are applied fairly and in line with international standards, and the U.S. has no right to demand exceptions. "Trump's call can only be viewed as economic colonialism in a new garment," he added.
The Egyptian Parties Alliance, representing around 42 political parties, also issued a statement on Sunday rejecting Trump's comments and accusing him of "ignoring historical facts."
On Egyptian social media, users strongly pushed back against Trump’s assertion that the US deserves credit for the canal’s existence. One widely circulated post stated, "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."
Opened in 1869, the Suez Canal has long been central to global maritime trade, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. Though shaped by colonial influence, it has become a powerful emblem of Egyptian sovereignty, particularly after its nationalization in 1956 by President Gamal Abdel Nasser — a landmark moment in the country's modern history.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
