Selling the Panama channel ports from Chinese regulatory authorities stopped

Selling the Panama channel ports from Chinese regulatory authorities stopped

China's competitive guardians have initiated an investigation of the deal of a US consortium for two ports in the Panama Anal zone, which delays the business originally planned for next week. This is done in a context in which tensions are increasing between the USA and China, especially with regard to strategic trade routes.

misunderstandings about control of the Panama Canal

President Donald Trump incorrectly claimed that China checked the channel; In fact, the sovereignty lies with панама, although China has the ports on both sides of the important sea path. Trump threatened that the United States could take control of the channel between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean again.

The deal under the magnifying glass

The deal led by Blackrock, the world's largest asset manager with a managed assets of $ 11.6 trillion, was announced at the beginning of this month . He was regarded as a possibility to reduce the tensions in the region. Blackrock has agreed to lead a group that will buy the control participation of the Hong Kong company CK Hutchison at 43 other ports worldwide, which include a total of 199 berths in 23 countries.

examination by Chinese authorities

The Chinese antimonopolitan authority on Friday has announced in a Notice She initiated an investigation by the deal "to protect fair competition on the market and to protect public interests." As a result, Ck Hutchison decided that "next week there will be no official signing of the deal for the two Panamahen," reported the South China Morning Post , citing a source from the Hong Kong.

meaning of the Panama Canal

The 51 military channel is a decisive connection for both cargo ships and military ships between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. About 4 % of the global sea deal and more than 40 % of US container traffic run through the channel. However, the tensions between China and the USA have increased recently. The Trump administration has announced new tariffs of 20 % to all goods imported from China, whereupon China with its own measures reacted.

a story of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal was built by the United States in the early 20th century and completed in 1914. During most of the century, he was operated by the United States before the Carter administration negotiated the handover to Panama in a controversial contract, which was then rejected by many Republicans. The channel is an essential part of the Panamaic economy, which in 2024 generated almost $ 5 billion in total income. According to an IDB Invest study published in December

China's influence and the position of the USA

Since the handover in 1999, the channel is operated by Panama and not by China, despite the concerns that Trump has expressed. Mike Waltz, Trump's national security advisor, found last month that Panama's leadership started "negotiations on the ports on both sides of the canal". However, removing the Chinese influence is only one of Trump's demands on Panama, including that Panama should not charge any fees for American ships.

When he first attended foreign ministers, who started in Panama, Marco Rubio said that he would agree that US ships should drive the canal free of charge. He noted that the United States was obliged to protect the Panama Canal if it should be attacked, and described it as "absurd" that we had to pay fees to cross an area that we have to protect in conflict times.

- Report by CNNS Patrick Oppman, Phil Mattingly and Andrew Sager.