According to a statement from the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson Group, the agreement that should have been signed on April 2 with the BlackRock-TiL consortium, formed by BlackRock Inc, Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment Ltd, will be revised.

In addition to this, BlackRock-TiL would keep 43 ports, in 199 berths, located in 23 countries, along with other operations management resources, terminal operating systems and related assets.

Local media such as the newspapers La Estrella de Panamá and La Prensa reflect Washington’s first reaction and quote statements made by the State Department spokeswoman, Tammy Bruce, when she stated that Beijing’s discomfort with this acquisition was not surprising, as it “will reduce its control over the inter-oceanic waterway”, the main argument of the Republican tycoon to take over its administration.

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