US says it is ‘not surprised’ that China would be upset at Panama ports deal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Friday it was “not surprised” that China would be upset by Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison’s (0001.HK) deal to sell its two port operations near the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led group, after China’s market regulator said it would conduct an antitrust review of the deal.

“We are aware of the comments made by China. It’s also no surprise that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is upset at this acquisition, which will reduce their control over the Panama Canal area,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told a news briefing.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Michael Martina; editing by Diane Craft)