Panama Canal

The Panama Canal, a vital shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is at the center of a legal and geopolitical dispute. Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, controlled by Li Ka-shing, operates major ports at both ends of the canal. Recently, Panama's Supreme Court ruled that the concession contracts allowing CK Hutchison's subsidiary to operate these ports are unconstitutional. This decision, stemming from a lawsuit filed in 2025, puts CK Hutchison's rights at risk. The situation is further complicated by US President Donald Trump's stated desire to regain American control of the Panama Canal, framing CK Hutchison as a target in the broader US-China trade conflict. The ruling and Trump's rhetoric raise concerns about the future of the canal's operations and the balance of power in the region, particularly concerning US influence in the Western Hemisphere and China's growing global presence.