Hong Kong-linked company decries search of Panama Canal port offices

The search of CK Hutchison’s subsidiary marks the latest flashpoint in the rising US-China tensions over control of Panama’s vital trade canal.Published On 27 Feb 2026Authorities in Panama have reportedly searched and removed property from the subsidiary of a Hong Kong company that has been at the heart of recent tensions between the United States and China over the Panama-canal" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8414" data-entity-type="location">Panama Canal.In a statement on Friday, the Panama Ports Company (PPC), part of the Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison, said the Panamanian government “acted in disregard for the rule of law”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Greenland’s strategic position in seven maps: Why Trump wants the islandlist 2 of 3Panama court rules Chinese control of canal ports unconstitutionallist 3 of 3Shipping giant Maersk to take over Panama-canal" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8414" data-entity-type="location">Panama Canal ports after court rulingend of listIt decried what it called “the latest steps to invade and ⁠take the property of PPC” during a search on Thursday. It also accused authorities of entering a private storage site without notice and ignoring requests to safeguard sensitive corporate data.Panama Ports Company has been under increased scrutiny following US President Donald Trump’s claims that China was asserting too much influence over the arterial trade canal, which connects the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.Panama’s government has robustly denied Chinese control of the waterway.But last month, the country’s Supreme Court annulled deals that gave the Panama Ports Company control over two canal ports. The court ruled that the concessions provided to the company were unconstitutional.China has alleged that the court case was a reaction to “hegemonic” pressure.It condemned Panama’s seizure of the ports as well as its decision to temporarily tap the Danish Maersk company and Switzerland-based MSC to run the ports until a new agreement is reached.Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino, meanwhile, warned China to “be careful” in its manoeuvring.