Trump threatened to take back the canal because of what he called Chinese influence. CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong company, is selling its control in a firm that ran two ports on the canal.

The flash sale of a Hong Kong-owned global ports business highlights geopolitical volatility, executives and analysts said.

Two major Panama Canal ports have been sold from their Hong Kong owner to a consortium including American multinational investment company BlackRock.

A Hong Kong-based conglomerate has agreed to sell its controlling stake in a subsidiary that operates ports near the Panama Canal to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., effectively putting the port

CK Hutchison Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, has agreed to sell its entire stake in Panama’s Balboa and Cristobal ports to a BlackRock-led consortium for nearly $23 billion, including $5 billion in debt.

Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison sold control of a unit that operates ports near the Panama Canal to BlackRock as Trump alleges the canal is controlled by China

The $23 billion deal, announced by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, transfers control of the Balboa and Cristobal ports to a consortium led by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Terminal Investment Limited.

There is growing concern that maritime operations could be ensnared by forces beyond their control in a military clash. Read more at straitstimes.com.

China’s presence in Panama has expanded rapidly, sparking fears in Washington. But Panama has already started shifting its allegiances and announced the transfer of major container ports to a US-led consortium.

An investor group led by BlackRock will acquire two ports near the Panama Canal that are owned by CK Hutchison and have been the subject of a dispute between President Trump and Panama.

THE decision by Hong Kong firm CK Hutchison to sell its Panama ports to a US-led consortium provides the Central American country with a convenient way out of its standoff with President Donald Trump,

Two major Panama Canal ports have been sold from their Hong Kong owner to a consortium including American multinational investment company BlackRock. It comes after US President Donald Trump ...