China has denounced the United States for “bullying” after President Donald Trump demanded a free pass for all American ships in the Suez Canal, which is operated by Egypt, a U.S. ally.
Both the White House and the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not immediately respond to a Newsweek written request for comment outside of work hours.
Why It Matters
On April 26, Trump wrote in a social-media post that U.S. military and commercial vessels should be allowed to travel through the Suez Canal “free of charge,” claiming that the canal, the shortest maritime route between Europe and Asia, would not exist without America.
What To Know
Egypt is designated by the U.S. as a major non-NATO ally, with both countries cooperating on conflict de-escalation across the Middle East and Africa. Washington views Cairo as a critical defense partner, having contributed over $50 billion in military assistance since 1978.
Meanwhile, Egypt maintains a “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China, as the East Asian power reinforces its influence in Africa. From mid-April to early May, the two nations conducted their first joint military training, which took place in the North African country.
During a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, was asked to respond to Trump’s comments on the Suez Canal. “Egypt has indisputable sovereignty over and right to manage and operate the Suez Canal,” he said.
“We firmly support the Egyptian government and people in defending sovereignty and their legitimate rights and interests, and oppose any acts or statements of bullying,” Lin added.
The canal was inaugurated in 1869, with Egypt holding over half the capital of the founding company and the remaining shares were divided among European nations. The Egyptians announced the nationalization of the canal in 1956, which it has fully controlled and maintained since.
Egypt collects tolls from vessels transiting the waterway based on their types and tonnages. The Suez Canal Authority says that the canal’s revenues dropped by 61 percent to $3.9 billion last year, down from $10.2 billion the previous year, due to tensions in the Red Sea.
The Suez Canal serves as a key gateway for the U.S. Navy to deploy its ships to the Middle East from U.S. East Coast home ports, including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, which is currently deployed in the Red Sea. It transited the canal in December last year.
Egyptian economist Raed Salama told the news outlet The New Arab that the request from Trump was unrealistic, as U.S. exports are primarily directed to Europe and Latin America.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald 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.”
Samaa Soliman, deputy chairman of the Foreign, Arab, and African Affairs Committee of the Egyptian Senate, said: “Only Egypt is responsible for securing and protecting the Suez Canal.”
Egyptian economist Raed Salama said: “Such a request [from Trump] would have minimal impact on Egypt’s economy, especially with the relatively minor contribution of U.S. shipping fees to Suez Canal revenue.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether Trump’s further pressure on the Suez Canal will push Egypt closer to China by expanding their bilateral cooperation, particularly in the military sphere.
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