U.S. Company Buys Panama Canal Ports

BlackRock Inc., an American firm that is the world’s biggest asset manager, bought two ports in the Panama Canal from Chinese company CK Hutchison Holdings. The purchase was announced Tuesday.

Why it matters: The Panama Canal is the most strategic maritime passageway for the United States. Constructing this marvel of engineering at the beginning of the 20th century was among the U.S.’s most difficult and significant accomplishments. Surrendering it later that century was a disastrous decision. Retaking the canal would eliminate a major vulnerability for the U.S.

Details: BlackRock’s $22.8 billion deal includes 43 other ports in 23 countries around the world. None of these ports are in China or Hong Kong.

Chinese law mandates that companies cooperate with Beijing’s intelligence agencies and function essentially as arms of the Chinese Communist Party if ordered to. Because of this, U.S. President Donald Trump recognizes that America’s most important maritime passageway is in the hands of its enemy.

The ports bought by BlackRock are on both sides of the canal. Last year, they handled 40 percent of all containers that passed through the canal.

This could be a major step toward retaking the canal.

Prophetic perspective: The Bible prophesied that the U.S. would initially control such “sea gates” as the Panama Canal, but later lose them due to sin. But God is allowing a temporary resurgence in America under President Trump. It is possible that America will regain control of this vital choke point during this resurgence.

Learn more: Read “How America Won and Lost the Panama Canal.”