Panama Canal Ports Sale Shifts to US Hands
On March 5, 2025, at 6:10 AM PST, the Panama Canal ports sale moved forward as Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison agreed to offload most of its stake in two key ports—Cristobal (Atlantic) and Balboa (Pacific)—to a BlackRock-led group for $22.8 billion (£17.8 billion), per BBC reports. Amid Trump’s weeks-long push to “retake” the canal—claiming Chinese control—the deal, spanning 43 ports in 23 countries, awaits Panama’s nod, X posts note. CK Hutchison, founded by billionaire Li Ka-shing, operates under Hong Kong’s financial laws but isn’t Chinese government-owned—still, Trump’s national security gripes echo Rubio’s February “immediate changes” demand, per BBC.
The 51-mile Panama Canal—linking Atlantic and Pacific—handles 14,000 ships yearly; CK Hutchison’s 1997-run ports are pivotal. Trump argues US-built history (1900s) and high fees justify control—ceded to Panama by 1999—while Panama’s Jose Raul Mulino insists it “will remain” theirs, per X. CK Hutchison’s Frank Sixt called the $22.8 billion sale “purely commercial,” not political, per statement. BlackRock, with Swiss Terminal Investment Limited, steps in as buyer. At 6:10 AM PST, Panama Canal ports sale shifts power—Trump’s shadow looms; will Panama greenlight it?
H3: Panama Canal Ports Sale: Geopolitical Play
Panama Canal ports sale—$22.8B to BlackRock—spans 43 ports. Trump’s “China control” claim stirs Panama defiance—pure business or politics? For more, visit BBC or Kenkou Land.
Main Body: A Canal Caught in Crossfire
Today, March 5, 2025, at 6:10 AM PST, Panama Canal ports sale unfolds—CK Hutchison, Hong Kong-based, sells stakes in Cristobal, Balboa ports to BlackRock-led group for $22.8 billion, per BBC. Deal—covering 43 ports, 23 countries—follows Trump’s “take control” rhetoric, slamming “Chinese influence” since February; Rubio echoed “national security” fears in Panama, per X. Li Ka-shing’s firm, running ports since 1997, stresses “commercial” motives—$17.8 billion deal needs Panama’s OK, Sixt told BBC. Canal’s 51 miles, 14,000 yearly ships—built by US, ceded 1999—fuel Trump’s “high fees” and history claims, per posts.
Panama’s Mulino rebuffs—“it’s ours”—as 1900s US control (until 1977 treaties) fades; BlackRock, with Terminal Investment Limited, buys in, per X. At 6:10 AM PST, Panama Canal ports sale—$22.8 billion—tests Trump’s sway; Panama holds firm, Sixt sidesteps politics—business or geopolitics? Stakes rise, per sentiment.
