Commentary

BlackRock’s Panama ports deal shows Trump is the real king of M&A  

The US president is now the most important driver of the deals that happen — and the deals that don’t

After the Panama ports deal, could Trump’s land grab will throw up more M&A opportunities?
After the Panama ports deal, could Trump’s land grab will throw up more M&A opportunities? Illustration: Jonathan McHugh/Ikon Images

David Wighton is a columnist for Financial News

Perhaps Donald Trump will turn out to be the world’s greatest dealmaker after all. One of the biggest takeovers so far this year — BlackRock’s $23bn acquisition of 43 ports around the world — would not have happened without the intervention of the US president.

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