Bangladesh, April 27 -- In a move that is already generating international controversy, President Donald Trump declared this week that American commercial and military vessels should be allowed to pass through the Panama and Suez Canals without paying any fees. Trump claimed that these strategic waterways would not even exist without the contributions of the United States, sparking diplomatic tension with Panama, Egypt, and other concerned nations.

Posting on Truth Social on April 27, Trump argued, “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.” Trump also revealed that Secretary ...