Earlier this month, BlackRock Inc. secured control over key ports near the Panama Canal, stripping away Chinese-linked influence over one of the world's most crucial shipping routes.

The $23 billion deal, which includes $5 billion in debt, will effectively place the strategic ports under American control — a move long advocated by President Donald Trump and national security hawks concerned about China's grip on global infrastructure.

The transaction, announced Tuesday, involves Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings selling its controlling stake in Hutchison Port Holdings and Hutchison Port Group Holdings to a U.S.-led consortium spearheaded by BlackRock, AP reported.

This historic acquisition grants control over 43 ports in 23 countries, including major sites in Mexico, the Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, Pakistan, and Panama's critical ports of Balboa and Cristobal—the two primary gateways to the Panama Canal.