The court’s ruling followed an audit by Panama’s comptroller, which alleged irregularities in the 25-year extension of the concession granted in 2021. The Trump administration made blocking China’s influence over the Panama Canal one of its priorities in the hemisphere. CK Hutchison’s subsidiary, Panama Ports Company, said it has not been notified yet about the decision but insisted its concession was the result of transparent international bidding. In parallel, Panama’s comptroller audited the concession to the Panama Ports Company, which had held the contract to operate the ports since 1997. On July 30, the comptroller challenged the Panama Ports Company’s contract to operate the ports before the Supreme Court.