In a major financial and geopolitical shift, American investment giant BlackRock has secured control over crucial ports along the Panama Canal. The move comes just months after former President Donald Trump publicly suggested that the United States should reclaim influence over the strategically significant waterway.
The sale marks a transfer of ownership from CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, to a consortium led by BlackRock. Partnering with Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Ltd., BlackRock has acquired an 80 percent stake in Hutchison Ports group, which oversees operations at 43 ports across 23 countries, according to Trending Politics. This deal gives the group control over 90 percent of Panama Ports Co., which manages two key canal ports in Balboa and Cristobal.
🚨BLACKROCK TAKES OVER PANAMA CANAL PORTS AFTER TRUMP SLAMS CHINA'S INFLUENCE
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 4, 2025
U.S. firms led by BlackRock are seizing control of the strategic Balboa and Cristobal ports in a $23 billion deal, replacing a Hong Kong-based company.
Trump vowed to take back control last month,… https://t.co/3YgidHGC6o pic.twitter.com/TBRbgGG0Xv
According to Bloomberg, CK Hutchison will receive approximately $19 billion from the transaction. The Panama Canal, a vital trade route linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, has played a crucial role in global commerce since its construction in 1904. Trump has recently argued that the United States should once again have a say in the canal’s operations, asserting that the nation had “invested every dollar in its creation.” Before the canal was built, cargo ships had to embark on an arduous journey around Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America, TP notes.
The timing of BlackRock’s acquisition aligns with Trump’s recent trade policy shifts, including the imposition of new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. The tariffs, which took effect on Tuesday, include a 25 percent levy on various imported goods. Just hours after these measures were enforced, Trump took to Truth Social, encouraging businesses to relocate their operations to the United States to bypass tariffs.
“If companies move to the United States, there are no tariffs!!!” he posted.
Although CK Hutchison operates as a publicly traded company, concerns have grown over Hong Kong’s increasing alignment with Beijing, raising fears of potential Chinese government influence. The transfer of Panama Canal ports to an American-led firm may signal a strategic effort to bolster economic ties with the U.S. and reduce Chinese control over key global trade infrastructure, according to TP.
During his administration, Trump frequently warned about China’s growing influence over critical infrastructure, including port operations around the world. In response to Trump’s latest tariff increases, China retaliated with its own levies on American goods. On Tuesday, Trump doubled the tariff rate on Chinese imports to 20 percent, further escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
BlackRock’s acquisition of the Panama Canal ports—given the firm’s extensive ties to the U.S. government—is widely seen as a move to counter China’s economic expansion.
Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, has long maintained a relationship with Trump, previously managing aspects of his financial portfolio. Fink had once been considered for the role of Treasury Secretary but ultimately withdrew from the selection process. His company’s acquisition of the Panama Canal ports is being interpreted as a strategic investment aligned with Trump’s broader vision for American economic dominance, TP reports.
The deal also comes amid other corporate victories linked to Trump’s economic policies. Apple and a SoftBank-led group recently announced a $600 billion initiative to invest in U.S. workforce training for artificial intelligence advancements. In a separate development, Honda reversed an earlier decision to manufacture its next-generation Civic models in Mexico, instead opting to produce them in Indiana.
