Can US zeal unexpectedly create a useful trade route? (4,5)

I believe the answer is:

suez canal

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'a useful trade route?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'can us zeal unexpectedly' is the wordplay.
'unexpectedly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'can'+'us'+'zeal'='canuszeal'
'canuszeal' with letters rearranged gives 'SUEZ CANAL'.

'create' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for suez canal that I've seen before include "Mediterranean/Red Sea waterway" , "Fought-over waterway" , "narrow passage" , "Egyptian waterway" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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