America built something extraordinary in Panama. We paid for it. We bled for it. The canal stands as our greatest engineering marvel. Period.

But Washington bureaucrats got sloppy. They handed away our strategic masterpiece. First to Panama in 1999. Then they watched as Beijing’s companies grabbed the ports. Classic D.C. brilliance at work.

Nobody thought we could fix this mess. The “experts” said it was too late. They claimed the Chinese influence was permanent. Those experts were wrong. Again.

In a stunning announcement that has Beijing fuming, the State Department revealed Wednesday that “U.S. government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees.”

This breakthrough will save American taxpayers millions annually. It’s exactly the kind of win President Trump promised.

From ‘The Post Millennial’:

“The US State Department under Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced on Wednesday that ‘U.S. government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees.’ This, the State Department notes, will save the US ‘millions of dollars a year.'”

America’s Strategic Gateway

Let’s be clear about what’s at stake here. This isn’t just any waterway. The Panama Canal handles 40% of America’s container traffic. That’s nearly half our maritime trade flowing through a single channel.

When Panama started charging premium rates and cozying up to Beijing, President Trump didn’t just write strongly worded letters. He acted. “We didn’t give it to China,” Trump declared in his inaugural address. “We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”

Standing Firm Against Foreign Influence

The bureaucrats gasped. The media clutched their pearls. But Secretary Rubio went to work. He delivered a clear message to Panama’s President Mulino: curb Chinese influence or face consequences.

Panama’s initial response? Defiance. They claimed sovereignty. They defended their Chinese partnerships. They learned quickly that old tactics don’t work with this administration.

Securing America’s Maritime Future

This victory isn’t just about saving money. It’s about showing the world that America protects its interests. When we built the canal, we paid in dollars and American lives. Now, we’re ensuring that investment wasn’t in vain.

Chinese companies still control ports at both ends of the canal. For now. But this week’s announcement sends a crystal clear message: the era of taking advantage of American strategic assets is over.

Teddy Roosevelt famously advised speaking softly while carrying a big stick. This administration just showed exactly how that works in 2025. Sometimes, you don’t need to swing the stick. You just need to remind everyone you have one.

Key Takeaways

• Trump administration successfully eliminates canal fees for U.S. government vessels, saving millions in taxpayer dollars.
• Strategic victory pushes back against growing Chinese influence over a critical maritime chokepoint.
• Strong diplomatic pressure from Secretary Rubio proves America First policies deliver concrete results.
• Historic American asset is now protected from foreign exploitation while respecting Panamanian sovereignty.

Sources: The Post Millennial, The Strategist, PBS News