CK Hutchison Begins Arbitration Against Panama Over Annulled Canal Contract

The logo of CK Hutchison is pictured on a flag outside the Cheung Kong Center building in Hong Kong on March 27, 2025. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against Panama, after a ruling by the country’s top court annulled a concession allowing it to operate ports at the Panama Canal.

Panama’s Supreme Court last week invalidated Hutchison’s contract following repeated threats from President Donald Trump that the United States would seek to reclaim the waterway he said was effectively being controlled by China.

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