A deal has been reached to place U.S. investors in control of a global ports network, including key berths at the Panama Canal. This agreement removes potential levers for Chinese influence and represents a rare American advancement in a strategic sector largely dominated by Beijing. An investment group led by Wall Street fund manager BlackRock struck a $22.8 billion agreement this week to acquire Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings’s majority ownership of 45 port operations across more than 20 countries. Notably, these include facilities at both ends of the Panama Canal. This aspect of the deal could weaken a key argument by President Trump that China controls the Panama Canal, a claim that was questionable from the outset but indicative of his intent to reshape global trade. — news from The Wall Street Journal
