As all indications suggest, the “serial” sale of CK Hutchison’s ports continues, based on recent publications. Specifically, as Reuters reported on July 25, the agreement between CK Hutchison and BlackRock and MSC is highly unlikely to be finalized in the near future, given that bilateral U.S.-China relations are being tested by challenges.
It is recalled that the Hong Kong-based conglomerate announced last March the sale of 43 ports in 23 different countries for approximately $22.8 billion to a consortium led by BlackRock and the powerful figure of Terminal Investment Ltd., Gianluigi Aponte.
However, it is worth noting that the 145-day period for exclusive negotiations between the company headed by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing and the investment group expires on Sunday, July 27. Of course, as Reuters reports, the collapse of the deal is not highly probable. Even if the two sides do not sign by the deadline, they could potentially extend the period to continue exclusive negotiations, the publication concludes.
Finally, it is noted that this agreement has attracted the interest of both China and the U.S., as it includes rights to strategically important ports in Panama. Moreover, from the U.S. side, President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled his desire to limit China’s influence in the Panama Canal.
