The high-stakes chess game behind Hutchison’s mega deal

A global tug-of-war over maritime infrastructure is quietly unfolding at the Panama Canal.

What began as a routine corporate divestment has morphed into a high-stakes contest between Washington and Beijing, threatening to reshape trade corridors, reconfigure global influence, and test the fragile balance of power across Latin America.

Control over nearby terminals offers a geopolitical lever in global trade, especially for two superpowers vying for economic dominance.