The Billionaire Caught Between Trump and China

The Journal.

The Wall Street Journal

Daily News, Business News, News

4.2 • 5.3K Ratings

🗓️ 15 April 2025

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Hong Kong-based company CK Hutchinson, led by billionaire Li Ka-shing, recently announced a deal to sell majority stakes in two ports on the Panama Canal. The deal with a consortium of investors led by BlackRock pleased President Donald Trump, after he had expressed interest in regaining control over the canal. But, as WSJ’s Rebecca Feng reports, the $22.8 billion deal also angered Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who saw the ports as a bargaining chip with the United States. Allison Pohle hosts. Further Listening: - China Unleashes a Trade War Arsenal - The Trade War With China Is On Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, it's Jess.
0:02.1	I'm here to say that my colleague Alison Polly is here again to guest host today's episode.
0:07.5	Enjoy.
0:10.9	In the glittering financial center of Hong Kong, a land known for its concentration of ultra-rich,
0:18.9	one billionaire outshines them all.
0:22.5	Billionaire entrepreneur Lee Karshing.
0:24.6	Hong Kong tycoon Lee Kershing.
0:26.2	billionaire Lee Kaching.
0:27.4	Li Kasing, a multi-billionaire Li Kershing.
0:32.1	Lee Kaching is an investing icon.
0:35.0	The 96-year-old tycoon is worth $36 billion and is the richest man in
0:39.8	Hong Kong, a businessman so revered in Asia, he's earned an epic nickname. Actually, in Hong Kong,
0:46.8	like people kind of gave him the nickname of Superman just because he's just so good at doing
0:50.9	deals over the years and always at perfect timing. So he's Superman.
0:56.8	That's our colleague, Rebecca Thung. He's kind of like the Warren Buffett of Asia. You know,
1:03.8	Buffett is 94. He's 96. When Li Kashiing does anything, everyone stops to try to figure out
1:10.7	what's happening and what's the meaning behind it.
1:13.6	Frequently, reporters would quiz Li Kashiing about his economic forecasts.
1:21.6	All sorts of questions about Hong Kong economy, global economy, and he's just giving his take.
1:33.2	How does he feel about mainland Chinese investors investing in Hong Kong?
1:36.5	More capital. Come to Hong Kong is a welcome.
1:41.6	Is the U.S. Federal Reserve going to cut interest rate?
	...

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