Hong Kong Firm to Sell Panama Canal Ports to U.S. Investment Group Amid Trump’s Pressure

[Social Media]

 

A Hong Kong-based corporation has announced plans to sell its stake in two crucial Panama Canal ports to a U.S.-led investment group, a move that comes amid heightened tensions between Panama and the Trump administration. The deal would shift ownership of the ports to an investment group spearheaded by BlackRock, one of the largest asset management firms in the world.  

 

CK Hutchison, the company behind the sale, confirmed that the port stakes would be transferred as part of a broader agreement with BlackRock, which is set to acquire control of 43 additional ports across 23 different countries. The decision follows increasing pressure from President Donald Trump, who has openly voiced concerns over China’s influence in Latin America and its potential military use of the Panama Canal.  

 

Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly called for the canal to be returned to U.S. control. “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 declared in his January inaugural address. His administration has not ruled out the use of military force to reclaim the strategic waterway, further escalating tensions between Washington and Panama City.  

 

Despite Trump’s demands, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has remained firm, showing no interest in surrendering the canal, which Panama has solely controlled since 1999. In a sign of the issue’s significance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio made an official visit to Panama shortly after taking office, reinforcing the administration’s focus on the region.  

 

 

With the planned sale of the ports, U.S. corporate ownership over key infrastructure near the canal is expected to increase, aligning with Trump’s broader strategy of countering Chinese influence in Latin America. However, it remains to be seen how Panama’s government will respond to the evolving geopolitical landscape surrounding one of the world’s most critical maritime passages.

 

Based on a report by Politico  2025-03-06

 

 

[DaddyWarbucks]

Another solid accomplishment by Trump using his signature wacky  style of diplomacy.

But it worked.

Just imagine Biden trying something similar - it would have been a fiasco.

[impulse]

Well would you look at that.  All the lefties claiming he was going to take it back by force, and it's done with private money.

 

Which presents another issue, but not the one that the lefties stomped their tiny little lefty feet about.

 

Anyone who wants to know what Trump is doing on Canada, Greenland, Mexico and Panama should read "The Art of the Deal".  It's clearly explained, decades ago.  It is so helpful to know what your adversary is thinking.  But people don't want to hold their noses and read subversive materials.  They'd prefer deliberate ignorance.

 

[WorriedNoodle]

32 minutes ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

Another solid accomplishment by Trump using his signature wacky  style of diplomacy.

But it worked.

Just imagine Biden trying something similar - it would have been a fiasco.

The Chinese influence on the Panama Canal was a concern, but Trump amplified it for his own purposes. Chinese companies, like Landbridge Group and CK Hutchison Holdings, do operate ports at both ends of the canal but it's essential to note that the Panama Canal is owned and operated by Panama, and the country has maintained its neutrality.

Trump's rhetoric about reclaiming the canal and his recent claims about the BlackRock deal are more of a political stance than a reflection of reality.

 

Trump supporters constantly bring up Biden. This criticism implies that Trump supporters are trying to justify their support by downplaying the accomplishments of the previous administration. An insecurity on the part of the Trump supporter if ever there was.

[SMIAI]

40 minutes ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

Another solid accomplishment by Trump using his signature wacky  style of diplomacy.

But it worked.

Just imagine Biden trying something similar - it would have been a fiasco.

 

Solid accomplishment? They aren't getting them for free. Blackrock are acquiring all CK Hutchison's ports apart from the ones they run in China.

US$23 billion just for Panama.

[Eric Loh]

Unfortunate that Panama has to yield to political pressure from Trump. Really not the best interest of the Panama government to ditch Hutchinson which has over a century of port management experience operating 53 ports spanning 24 countries throughout the world for an inexperience investment group.

Panama canal was poorly managed by America and Panama government and could not made a profit and had to agree to hand over the management to the Panama government. They were wise to open bids for port management and Hutchinson won the bid.

Hutchinson is one of the top port management corporation in the world. Left to be seen whether an investment company like BlackRock has the competence and experience to run ports 

 

[Patong2021]

What changed? Blackrock does not operate ports. It has partnered with TiL, the multinational terminal operator, and they are not a US company. Blackrock has a stake in them, but so does  MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (owned by the Aponte family)  and the Singapore government.  Hutchison was the Hong Kong based owner and is controlled by Canadian Chinese dual national  Li Ka-shing, one of the the most powerful businessmen in Asia. He will still hold 20% of the assets.  The same workers who were working at the port when there was Hong kong investment will still be there with the new owners. 

 

All that changed is that  the cards were rearranged. There will still be  foreign control and it still won't necessarily be pro-USA. It will be pro profit.  And if someone wants to sabotage the ports it can still be done. Congratulations to the USA for alienating Latin America with one  idiotic threat. Congratulations too for making an enemy  with  Li Ka shing. 

[phetphet]

1 hour ago, DaddyWarbucks said:

Another solid accomplishment by Trump using his signature wacky  style of diplomacy.

But it worked.

Just imagine Biden trying something similar - it would have been a fiasco.

However there could soon be an alternative. Mexico has recently finished constructing their coast to coast dual track railway and are planning to upgrade it to take shipping containers from port to port. across the isthmus.

 

The Panama Canal is still the main route, and important for shipping, but the railway will complement it and provide both an alternative and  a back up now the canal is suffering water shortages, which are causing high fees.

It should also provide Mexico and their investors a nice return on their investment.

 

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mexico-aims-to-compete-with-panama-canal-by-using-cargo-trains

 

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/coatzacoalcos-palenque-line-fa-interoceanic-train-opens/

[billd766]

1 hour ago, SMIAI said:

 

Solid accomplishment? They aren't getting them for free. Blackrock are acquiring all CK Hutchison's ports apart from the ones they run in China.

US$23 billion just for Panama.

And all that money will be leaving the USA, bound for China.

[Aussie999]

Trump hasn't actually taken over the canal, only 2 ports

[Purdey]

China gets the money. Should help their cash flow.