U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha on Friday to emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in an ongoing audit of Hutchison Ports’ operations at two key terminals near the Panama Canal, according to a U.S. State Department readout.
The ports, located at either end of the strategic canal, are managed by CK Hutchison Holdings, a publicly traded company based in Hong Kong. The canal itself remains under the control of the Panamanian government, but the surrounding port infrastructure has attracted international interest due to its global trade significance.
Washington has raised concerns over foreign control of vital infrastructure in the region. While Hutchison operates the two main canal-adjacent ports, several nearby terminals are run by private firms from the United States, Singapore, and Taiwan—countries with closer ties to U.S. interests.
The audit of Hutchison's concessions is seen as part of broader efforts to ensure transparency, fair competition, and national security in Panama’s logistics sector. The U.S. has increasingly scrutinized Chinese-linked infrastructure projects in Latin America, viewing them through a lens of strategic rivalry and geopolitical influence.
The conversation between Landau and Martinez-Acha reflects ongoing U.S. efforts to work closely with regional allies to safeguard critical infrastructure and promote open, rule-based investment environments. The State Department’s engagement underscores the geopolitical importance of the Panama Canal and surrounding trade routes, which are essential for global shipping and commerce.
By highlighting concerns about Hutchison’s operations, the U.S. aims to support Panama in maintaining sovereignty and transparency while reinforcing secure and competitive global supply chains.