Group 1 - The U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed intentions for U.S. military and commercial vessels to have free passage through the Panama and Suez Canals, claiming these waterways would not exist without the U.S. [1][2] - Approximately 40% of U.S. container shipping utilizes the Panama Canal, which was constructed by the U.S. in the early 20th century but was handed back to Panama in 1999 [1][2] - The Suez Canal is a critical waterway connecting Europe and Asia, accounting for about 10% of global maritime trade before recent conflicts disrupted shipping routes [2][3] Group 2 - The Suez Canal is projected to see a 60% reduction in revenue in 2024, resulting in an estimated loss of $7 billion [3] - The U.S. military has been conducting strikes against Houthi positions since January 2024, with the aim of eliminating threats to international shipping posed by these groups [3]