The White House has included Macau on a list of “foreign adversaries,” restricting those affiliated with the SAR, Hong Kong, and mainland China from investing in American technology, infrastructure, energy, and other key sectors.
The move, spearheaded by long-term China critic Donald Trump, also prohibits Americans from investing in China’s military-industrial sector.
Also included in restrictions on outbound US investment in China are sectors including artificial intelligence, quantum, biotech, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and other tech-related areas.
Only one mention is made specifically of Macau, where it is listed alongside Hong Kong, the PRC, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela as “foreign adversaries”.
Within the White House memo, Trump claims that Chinese companies raise capital by “selling to American investors securities that trade on American and foreign public exchanges; lobbying United States index providers and funds to include these securities in market offerings; and engaging in other acts to ensure access to United States capital and accompanying intangible benefits”.
The memo further indicates that the administration “will also expedite environmental reviews for any investment of $1 billion in the United States”.
It also notes that the US government “will establish new rules to stop […] PRC-affiliated persons from buying up critical American businesses and assets, allowing only those investments that serve American interests”.
This includes “real estate near sensitive facilities”.
Its unclear how this move will directly impact US-facing gaming operators, who until now had largely been able to escape the pressures of US-China political wrangling.
Numerous top casino executives in Macau are associated with the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), including those with US-based parent companies.
