Egyptian MPs slam Trump's 'bullying' over Suez Canal passage

US President Donald Trump’s recent comments demanding free passage for American ships through the Suez Canal have sparked a wave of popular outrage in Egypt, although no official government response has been issued so far.

Speaking to The New Arab's Arabic sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Egyptian journalist and Member of Parliament Mostafa Bakry criticised Trump’s statements, saying, "I do not know on what basis President Trump is demanding that American ships, both commercial and military, be allowed to pass freely through the Suez Canal."

"In my view, there is only one reason — the policy of American bullying and attempts to blackmail sovereign nations. It is an open act of theft and an imposition of tribute on an independent country, a member of the United Nations," he added.

Trump made the comments on Saturday via a post on his Truth Social platform.

"American ships, both military and commercial, must be allowed free passage through the Panama and Suez Canals. These two canals would not exist without the United States of America," the Republican president wrote. 

He added that he had asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to "take charge of this matter immediately".

Addressing Trump directly, Bakry said: "Mr Trump, we are not one of the banana republics, nor are we a new American state."

Bakry also warned that "what is happening in the Red Sea and Yemen is not about the Houthis or restoring Yemeni legitimacy. Its true aim is the militarisation and control of the Red Sea and domination over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait — and now Trump confirms this".

International law expert Ayman Salama stressed that "imposing fees on ships passing through the canal is a fundamental sovereign right of the Egyptian state".

"Egypt benefits from these fees as an important economic resource, while also committing to providing safe and efficient navigation services for international users," he added.

Salama warned that "Trump’s proposals represent a serious challenge to international law and public order," calling on the international community to take "firm steps to protect the foundations of peace and security".

He further stated that "Trump’s demand to exempt the United States from paying fees lacks any legal or logical basis," and is instead based on "the logic of power and influence, ignoring the principles of equality between states and the rule of international law."

He emphasised that "the Suez Canal belongs to no one but Egypt, and it is governed by its laws and regulations, which all states must respect without exception".

"No statements or unlawful demands can diminish this sovereign right or impose unjustified exceptions," he added.

The Suez Canal was constructed by the French-led Suez Canal Company under Ferdinand de Lesseps, with work beginning in 1859 and completed in 1869. Initially under mixed French and Egyptian ownership, Britain later acquired a major share and sought control over the canal,. including an attempt to seize it by military force in an alliance with Israel and France.

Egypt nationalised the canal in 1956 under President Gamal Abdel Nasser, asserting full sovereignty and ending colonial claims

Today, the Suez Canal accounts for around 10 percent of global maritime trade.

However, amid ongoing attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels against ships linked to Israel — in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza — the number of ships transiting the canal dropped to 13,200 in 2024, compared to 26,400 in 2023.

Revenues from the canal fell sharply last year by 61 percent, from around $10.2 billion in 2023 to $3.9 billion in 2024.