An investor group backed by BlackRock agreed to buy a majority stake in the Hong Kong subsidiary that runs ports along either side of the Panama Canal, giving a U.S.

The deal includes two ports that have been under scrutiny as potential avenues for Chinese influence in the operation of the canal.

BlackRock ’s $22.8bn takeover of 43 ports owned by billionaire Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison, including two at either end of the Panama Canal — before it was announced on Tuesday. The president and top members of his administration,

A Hong Kong-based corporation announced plans on Tuesday to sell its stake in two Panama Canal ports to an investment group led by BlackRock — a deal that would put crucial ports under American corporate ownership amid growing tensions between Panama and the Trump administration.