[ June 19, 2026 ]
BlackRock to take over key Panama Canal ports from a Hong Kong-based firm following President Trump’s criticisms of China’s influence on the canal.
U.S. firms led by BlackRock are taking over two important ports for nearly $23 billion.
“China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump said a month ago.
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While Panama retains full sovereignty over the canal itself, the presence of Chinese-controlled ports has been flagged as a potential security risk by US officials.
Earlier this month, Panama decided not to renew its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the first Latin American country to exit the program.
“The deal would shift control of the strategic ports of Balboa and Cristobal into American corporate hands, a move that aligns with the Trump admin’s concerns over foreign influence near the canal,” the New York Post reported.
The deal, sparked by Trump’s January 2025 criticism of China’s canal influence, shifts control of 39% of container traffic to U.S. hands.
Panama’s government still owns the canal, but the ports—key for 70% U.S.-bound shipments—were a sore spot. Hutchison calls it commercial; Rubio’s February push says otherwise.
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BlackRock briefed D.C., aligning with Trump’s agenda to curb China’s sway. Approval’s pending—geopolitics, not ownership, drives this, per WSJ and Reuters.
Hong Kong-based conglomerate has agreed to sell its stake in two Panama Canal ports to U.S. and Swiss investors, following pressure from the Trump administration over concerns about Chinese influence.
CK Hutchison, founded by billionaire Li Ka-shing, will transfer control of the ports to a consortium that includes U.S. asset manager BlackRock and Switzerland’s Mediterranean Shipping Company.
What to know:
–The sale follows Trump’s claims that the ports, one at each entrance of the canal, posed a national security risk.
Trump called the deal a victory, saying, “We’re taking it back,” in his address to Congress.
–China and Panama deny foreign interference, with Beijing reaffirming support for Panama’s sovereignty over the canal.
–The $22.8 billion deal, subject to regulatory approval, grants the consortium control of an 80% stake in Hutchison Ports and 90% of Panama Ports.
JUST IN: The Hong Kong company that owns ports on the Panama Canal is suddenly selling its stake to an American group of investors.
This is a result of intense pressure from President Trump on the Panamanians to remove the influence of the CCP.
— George (@BehizyTweets) March 4, 2025
NEW: BlackRock to take over key Panama Canal ports from a Hong Kong-based firm following President Trump's criticisms of China's influence on the canal.
U.S. firms led by BlackRock are taking over two important ports for nearly $23 billion.
"China is operating the Panama Canal.… pic.twitter.com/pRtEblCjIp
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 4, 2025
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Wall Street Journal: A consortium of investors led by BlackRock agreed to buy majority stakes in ports on either end of the Panama Canal, putting U.S. firms in control of two ports that President Trump raised as a security concern because of their connection to China. The deal with Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison is worth $22.8 billion and also includes dozens of other ports around the world, the companies said Tuesday. Trump had flagged the Panama ports as a threat even though the canal is run and controlled by Panama. His administration argued China could force the two terminals, which handled 40% of all containers that crossed the waterway last year, to restrict American-bound ships (Wall Street Journal). Collin Rugg: BlackRock to take over key Panama Canal ports from a Hong Kong-based firm following President Trump’s criticisms of China’s influence on the canal. “China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump said a month ago (X).
https://twitter.com/BehizyTweets/status/1897130406174187766
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