The ownership of various U.S. ports by DP World (which had been acquired as part of the P&O deal) was seen as highly controversial by many in the United States even though it was supported by the U.S. president of the time (George W. Bush); the US ports were sold shortly afterwards.
P&O operated major U.S. port facilities in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Miami. Before the deal was secured, the arrangement was reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States headed by the U.S. Treasury Department and including the Departments of State, Commerce, and Homeland Security. It was given the green light, but soon after, both Democratic and Republican members of Congress expressed concern over the potential negative impact the deal would have on port security.