CK Hutchison Holdings is in talks with a BlackRock-led consortium to include a strategic investor from China to push ahead with its plans to sell ports on either end of the Panama Canal.

A Hong Kong conglomerate that’s selling ports at the Panama Canal says it may seek a Chinese investor to join a consortium of buyers.

Deal may become bargaining chip between US and China, experts say, as Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate looks to add ‘significant member’ to consortium.