Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison, led by tycoon Li Ka-shing, will not sign a deal next week to sell its two strategic ports at the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led group, the South China Morning Post reported on Friday.

The deal was expected to be signed on April 2, according to the sale announcement made on March 4.

A view of the Balboa Port is pictured after Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd 0001.HK agreed to sell its interests in a key Panama Canal port operator to a BlackRock Inc-backed consortium, amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to curb China's influence in the region, Panama City, Panama, March 4, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun

It is understood the situation does not mean the deal has been called off, the report added, citing a source close to CK Hutchison.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

CK Hutchison earlier this month agreed to sell the majority of its global ports business, including assets located near the strategically significant Panama Canal, in a deal expected to bring in over $19 billion in cash.