The markets are responding positive to news that Trump is backing away from the rumored harsh measure on curbing Chinese investments in US technology companies. Instead, his administration will revert to existing laws, with an upgrade. Trump himself told reports that “it’s not just Chinese”. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also said that “we are not singling out China, but we will protect technology transfer to China as we will to other important areas.” Mnuchin also pledged that “we will have the necessary tools to protect investments, whether it’s China or anybody else.”
The administration will relay on the newly strengthened Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to deal with the issue. The legislation to be used is called the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act. Trump said the upgraded CFIUS”will enhance our ability to protect the United States from new and evolving threats posed by foreign investment while also sustaining the strong, open investment environment to which our country is committed and which benefits our economy and our people.” And, “I have concluded that such legislation will provide additional tools to combat the predatory investment practices that threaten our critical technology leadership, national security, and future economic prosperity.”
Trump originally considered invoking executive authority to impose and much tougher crackdown on Chinese investments. And there have been conflicting messages from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro and Mnuchin. But such an idea appeared to have drawn severe complaints from US businesses and Republicans, on the potential economic fallout.
US stocks futures reversed initial losses and now point to flat open. In particular, NASDAQ will be an index to watch today for its tech compositions. Dollar also jumps on the news, ignoring mixed economic data.
