Chinese antitrust regulators are investigating a US consortium’s deal for two ports in the Panama Canal zone, delaying the deal’s closing that was originally set for next week.

A major business deal involving two important ports near the Panama Canal has been unexpectedly put on hold. The deal was led by a large US-based investment group and was expected to be finalized soon.

The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has decided to verify the sale by the Hong Kong company CK Hutchison of two ports of the Panama Canal (Balboa and Cristobal) to a consortium of American investors led by BlackRock.