{"id":2558729,"date":"2026-01-30T17:57:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/panama-court-ends-hong-kong-canal-contracts-handing-trump-win\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T18:01:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T23:01:43","slug":"panama-court-ends-hong-kong-canal-contracts-handing-trump-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/panama-court-ends-hong-kong-canal-contracts-handing-trump-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Panama court ends Hong Kong canal contracts, handing Trump win"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpanama-court-ends-hong-kong-canal-contracts-handing-trump-win%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2558729&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>panama\u2019s supreme Court has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >voided concession contracts<\/a> that allowed hong Kong-based CK Hutchison\u2019s subsidiary, Panama Ports Company (PPC), to operate the Balboa and Crist\u00f3bal terminals on the Panama Canal, a decision hailed as a win for the Trump governance\u2019s effort to reduce Chinese influence over the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-considers-unprecedented-move-of-putting-armed-troops-on-commercial-ships-traveling-near-iran\/\" title=\"US mulls deploying armed troops on commercial ships near Iran.\">strategic waterway<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/one-of-two-wisconsin-supreme-court-rulings-give-president-trump-the-win-should-be-enough-votes-to-win-the-state\/\" title=\"One of Two Wisconsin ... Rulings Give President Trump the ... \u2013 Should Be Enough Votes to ... the State\">court ruling<\/a> followed a Panamanian comptroller audit alleging PPC\u2019s contract management shortchanged Panama by about $1.3 billion and declared the 1997 law and related statutes underpinning the concessions unconstitutional. CK Hutchison called the decision legally baseless and warned it threatens jobs, legal certainty, and thousands of Panamanians\u2019 livelihoods. The move complicates a previously announced $23 billion deal to transfer control of the ports to U.S.-based BlackRock, which had already stalled amid the audit and ensuing scandal. U.S. officials, including president Trump and Secretary of state Marco Rubio, had pressured Panama to remove perceived Chinese influence; the Pentagon\u2019s recent National Defense Strategy stressed securing access to key Western Hemisphere terrain including the Panama Canal. Panamanian President Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal Mulino said operations would continue without disruptions or layoffs,and suggested Maersk\u2019s APM terminals might temporarily run the two terminals.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Panama court cancels Hong Kong canal contracts, handing Trump win<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2449366\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/panama\/\">Panama<\/a>&rsquo;s Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Hong Kong-based company from operating ports on the Panama Canal, giving the Trump administration a victory in its bid to divest the critical waterway of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/china\/\">Chinese<\/a> influence.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The ruling revolves around CK Hutchison Holding, the Hong Kong firm that has operated two of the canals&rsquo; five ports since the 1990s through its subsidiary, Panama Ports Company. &#8203;&#8203;The Panamanian government accused CK Hutchison of breaching its concession contracts, including one renewed in 2021. The lawsuit stemmed from an audit brought by Panama&rsquo;s comptroller that determined the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tractor-supplys-dei-reversal-shows-citizen-activism-works\/\" title=\"Tractor Supply&#039;s DEI Reversal Shows Citizen Activism Works\">company&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s management of the contracts shortchanged the country by around $1.3 billion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4439612\/winter-storm-deaths-east-coast\/\">Over 100 dead as East Coast braces for nor&#8217;easter<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4439910\/grid-failure-years-ahead-fossil-fuels-phase-out-regulator-warns\/\">Much of grid risks failure in years ahead as fossil fuels phase out, regulator warns<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4439306\/trump-putin-agreed-pause-ukraine-bombings-winter-conditions\/\">Trump says Putin agreed to pause Ukraine bombings for a week at his urging<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The court determined this week that the 1997 law, and others underpinning the decadeslong contracts, or concession agreements, at the ports of Balbao and Cristobal were &ldquo;unconstitutional.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Panama Ports Company attacked the ruling <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ppc.com.pa\/en\/pressroom\/\">in a statement<\/a>, alleging it &ldquo;lacks legal basis.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The ruling &ldquo;jeopardizes not only PPC and its contract, but also the well-being and stability of thousands of Panamanian families who depend directly and indirectly on port activity, but also the rule of law and legal certainty in the country,&rdquo; CK Hutchison Holding&rsquo;s subsidiary said. &ldquo;The ruling is diametrically opposed to previous decisions issued by the Supreme Court regarding contracts similar to the PPC contract.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The development comes as President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have raised concerns that communist officials in Beijing are exercising undue influence over one of the world&rsquo;s most strategic waterways. As part of the White House&rsquo;s agenda to reassert dominance in the Western Hemisphere, Rubio made <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/3308187\/rubio-panama-canal-reduce-chinese-influence-retaliation-trump-administration\/\">a personal visit <\/a>to Panama in early 2025, telling the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-viral-x-image-does-not-show-israeli-settlers-trying-to-tear-palestinian-child-apart\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Viral X Image Does Not Show Israeli Settlers Trying To Tear Palestinian Child Apart\">country&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s president that the Panama Canal must get rid of Chinese influence or else face retaliation from the Trump administration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The United States will no longer cede access to or influence over key terrain in the Western Hemisphere,&rdquo; the Pentagon&rsquo;s new <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/daily-on-defense\/4433092\/pentagon-national-defense-strategy\/\">National Defense Strategy<\/a>,&nbsp;released earlier this month, reiterated. &ldquo;[The Department of War] will therefore provide the President with credible options to guarantee U.S. military and commercial access to key terrain from the Arctic to South America, especially Greenland, the Gulf of America, and the Panama Canal.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cranes load a cargo ship at Panama Canal&rsquo;s Port of Balboa, managed by CK Hutchison Holdings, in Panama City, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo\/Matias Delacroix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3336771\/blackrock-take-over-honk-kong-ports-panama-canal-deal\/\"><strong>BLACKROCK TO TAKE OVER HONG KONG-OWNED PORTS IN PANAMA CANAL IN $23 BILLION DEAL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A month after Rubio&rsquo;s visit, CK Hutchison Holding reached <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3336771\/blackrock-take-over-honk-kong-ports-panama-canal-deal\/\">a $23 billion agreement<\/a> last March to hand over control of the ports to BlackRock, a U.S. firm. But the deal began to stall as CK Hutchison Holding became <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3373615\/blackrock-panama-port-deal-in-jeopardy\/\">embroiled in a scandal <\/a>following Panama Comptroller General Anel Flores&rsquo;s audit. It is unclear how Thursday&rsquo;s ruling will affect the deal further.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on Friday that ports in the country &zwj;will continue operating without disruption and that there would not be any layoffs. He suggested APM Terminals Panama, a Maersk subsidiary, would temporarily take over the operation &#8203;of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Panama court voids HK canal deals; boost for Trump<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2558730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26030535482393.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32319,38254,14441,47952],"class_list":["post-2558729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-donald-trump","tag-hong-kong","tag-panama","tag-panama-canal"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26030535482393.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2558729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2558729"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2558729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2558733,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2558729\/revisions\/2558733"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2558730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2558729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2558729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2558729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}