Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously pass motion seeking unity against Trump tariffs

Some lawmakers also use Legislative Council session to call for tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison not to go ahead with selling Panama ports

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Some lawmakers have called for CK Hutchison not to go ahead with plans to sell its Panama ports. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:01pm, 8 May 2025Updated: 11:43pm, 8 May 2025

Hong Kong lawmakers on Thursday unanimously passed a motion calling for unity in countering US tariffs, with some calling on tycoon Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings not to go ahead with selling its Panama ports.

The motion, put forward by lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok, urged authorities and the city’s industries to “resolutely dovetail with our country’s corresponding strategies” and “resist the bullying of the United States” by strengthening Hong Kong’s international networks.

At the Legislative Council session, some lawmakers discussed CK Hutchison’s plan to sell two politically sensitive ports at the Panama Canal, and urged the company to prioritise national interests over business.

In March, the company announced it was seeking to sell its 43 overseas ports to a consortium led by the US investment firm BlackRock for US$23 billion. CK Hutchison stood to pocket US$19 billion in cash from the deal.

The two Panama ports operated by the conglomerate have drawn intense scrutiny from both Beijing and Washington, with the strategic waterway becoming a geopolitical flashpoint in the US-China rivalry.

“It’s understandable that businesses pursue profit, but I sincerely hope that the business community will not disregard national interests, especially when it comes to matters of principle,” Ma said at Thursday’s Legco meeting.