Chinese antitrust regulators will review the deal between CK Hutchison and BlackRock over the US$19bn deal for two Panama ports. BlackRock has admitted that this could mean a delay of at least nine months on the sale of 43 ports in 23 countries. Further complicating the transaction is Panama’s Comptroller General Anel Flores filing a criminal complaint against Panama Ports, Hutchison’s Panama subsidiary, alleging an over US$300mn breach of contract with the government. This follows an audit of the Cristóbal and Balboa ports that began in January. The total loss to Panama’s public finance could reach up to US$1.2bn. Following a visit by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Panama has agreed to an increased US military presence and cost neutral passage for US ships.