CK Hutchison Holding, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, has agreed to sell shares of its port operations near the Panama Canal to a consortium led by BlackRock Inc. The consortium, which includes Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Limited, will acquire 90% interests in Panama Ports Company. This move follows allegations by former President Donald Trump regarding Chinese interference in the canal’s operations. Concerns over national security were raised by U.S. officials, including Senator Ted Cruz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who urged Panama to reduce Chinese influence. The deal comes amid heightened scrutiny of Hutchison Ports, which recently received a 25-year no-bid extension to manage key ports. Observers believe this agreement aligns with U.S. efforts to secure strategic control over critical infrastructure. — news from The Associated Press
