Why BlackRock boss Larry Fink believes he will win over control of the Panama Canal

New York Post - Apr 4th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, is pursuing a $23 billion acquisition of 43 ports from CK Hutchison, including strategic locations on both sides of the Panama Canal. This move comes amid growing US interest in regaining influence over the canal, which is vital for global trade. While BlackRock is optimistic about closing the deal, the Chinese Communist Party is investigating the proposal, potentially stalling progress. BlackRock's strategy involves leveraging President Trump's influence and lobbying efforts in China to gain approval despite the geopolitical tensions.

The significance of this deal lies in its potential to reshape US-China relations, given the current trade negotiations and the intertwined fate of other major deals, such as the restructuring of TikTok's ownership. With Oracle positioned to manage TikTok's algorithm in the US, and BlackRock hoping to secure the Panama Canal ports, these moves illustrate the intricate balance of power and influence in international business. The outcome could either bolster US control in strategic areas or falter due to Chinese skepticism of US ambitions.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

4.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a narrative focused on high-stakes geopolitical negotiations involving BlackRock's potential acquisition of ports near the Panama Canal. While the topic is timely and of significant public interest, the article's speculative tone and lack of concrete evidence limit its accuracy and balance. The absence of clear source attribution and transparency further detracts from the article's credibility. Despite these weaknesses, the article engages readers with its focus on strategic international issues and the involvement of prominent figures like Larry Fink and President Trump. However, the speculative nature and lack of balanced perspectives may lead to skepticism and limit the article's potential impact on public opinion and policy discussions.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The article presents several claims that require verification, such as BlackRock's involvement in a $23 billion deal to acquire ports from CK Hutchison, including those at the Panama Canal. While the article suggests that Larry Fink is directly involved and has pitched the deal to President Trump, these claims need further confirmation from credible sources. The mention of the Chinese Communist Party investigating the deal and potentially threatening its approval is another area needing verification. Additionally, the article draws speculative connections between the BlackRock deal and broader U.S.-China negotiations, particularly regarding TikTok, which are not substantiated with direct evidence. The story does not provide enough source support to fully verify these claims.

4
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of BlackRock and its strategic ambitions, with little emphasis on the viewpoints of the other parties involved, such as CK Hutchison or the Chinese government. It portrays BlackRock's actions in a somewhat favorable light, suggesting strategic foresight and confidence in overcoming geopolitical hurdles. However, it lacks a balanced representation of the potential concerns and motivations of the Chinese authorities or CK Hutchison. The article also leans towards highlighting Trump's strategic interests in the deal without critically examining the implications of U.S. influence in the Panama Canal region or the broader geopolitical context.

6
Clarity

The article is written in a conversational and somewhat speculative tone, which can affect the clarity of the information presented. While it does provide a narrative of the events and potential implications, the lack of clear structure and reliance on speculative connections can make it challenging for readers to discern the key facts. The article's language is generally accessible, but the speculative nature and absence of concrete evidence can lead to confusion about the veracity of the claims. Overall, the article could benefit from a more structured and evidence-based approach to enhance clarity.

3
Source quality

The article does not clearly attribute its information to specific, credible sources, relying instead on vague references to conversations with BlackRock executives and unnamed sources. This lack of attribution raises questions about the reliability and credibility of the information presented. The absence of direct quotes or statements from involved parties, such as BlackRock, CK Hutchison, or Chinese officials, further weakens the article's source quality. The reliance on speculative connections between different geopolitical events without concrete evidence also detracts from the source credibility.

3
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the sources of its information and the methodology used to gather it. It does not provide clear context or background for the claims made, leaving readers without a comprehensive understanding of the situation. The article also fails to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may affect the impartiality of the reporting. Without clear explanations of how the information was obtained or the basis for the claims, the article's transparency is significantly compromised.

Sources

  1. https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/capital-markets/blackrock-to-spend-23b-on-global-ports-including-2-at-panama-canal-128345
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blackrock-panama-canal-deal-ck-hutchison-trump/
  3. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-05/behind-blackrock-play-for-panama-canal-a-direct-line-to-trump
  4. https://fortune.com/2025/03/05/larry-fink-phoned-trump-directly-to-pitch-blackrocks-panama-deal/