ВВС: The U.S. To Gain Control Over Key Ports Of The Panama Canal

• 5.03.2025, 14:09

The deal is worth more than $14 billion.

Hong Kong holding company Hutchison has decided to sell a controlling stake in Panamanian ports to the American investment giant BlackRock.

The deal, which is worth more than $14 billion, is the result of increasing pressure from the US authorities, the BBC reports.

CK Hutchison Holdings, which operates the strategically important ports of Balboa and Cristobal, located on both sides of the Panama Canal, is transferring 90% of its shares in Panama Ports Company to a consortium led by the American company BlackRock.

The deal, which is worth more than $14 billion, also includes the transfer of control over 80% of the assets of Hutchison subsidiaries, which operate 43 ports and key infrastructure facilities in 23 different countries.

This decision was the result of active intervention and pressure from Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed concern about Chinese influence on the Panama Canal.

In his statements, Trump claimed that Chinese corporations allegedly control strategic ports and canals in the region.

In the early days of his presidency, Trump also threatened to return the Panama Canal to full US control, not excluding a violent takeover, which angered the Panamanian authorities and provoked protests among its citizens.

However, representatives of Hutchison and the investment consortium BlackRock assure that this agreement is purely commercial and has nothing to do with the political changes taking place in the region.

Panamanian authorities also emphasized that they play no role in this deal, which is the result of negotiations between private companies acting on the basis of mutual business interests.