The world’s biggest asset manager led a consortium that will buy a controlling stake in Panama ports that had become a political lightning rod and a larger unit that has operations across 23 countries. CK Hutchison, the conglomerate founded by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, said it would receive cash proceeds of more than $19 billion from the sale.

The deal also removes a headache for billionaire Li. As recently as January, his company said it was committed to continue operating in the country, but has faced increased scrutiny amid Trump’s threats. Panama’s government had been weighing whether to cancel the company’s contract, Bloomberg reported last month, and had also initiated an audit.