Panama rules HK-linked ports contract unconstitutional: Why now and what for?

0 February 10, 2026 08:25

A recent ruling by Panama’s Supreme Court has thrown the future of two major ports at the Panama Canal into uncertainty. The court ruled that the contract operated by a Hong Kong-based firm is unconstitutional, calling into question nearly 30 years of port operations. The decision could have far-reaching implications for foreign investors, Panama’s business environment, and confidence in long-term contracts at one of the world’s most important trade chokepoints. What exactly did the courts decide? Why now, after 30 years, was this judgment made? And does this case signal a broader shift in how strategic infrastructure is being politicized amid U.S.-China competition?

Guests in this edition of Dialogue are Prof. John Gong from the University of International Business & Economics; Benjamin Norton, founder & editor-in-chief of the Geopolitical Economy Report; and Edward Lehman, managing director of Lehman Lee & Xu.

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