The White House is reportedly mulling limits or even a ban on U.S. investment in China, a potential new escalation in the ongoing trade war with Beijing. The White House and Beijing negotiators have been struggling to get trade talks back on line and are currently scheduled to meet again on Oct. 10.
The potential action was reported Friday by Bloomberg and CNBC, both citing anonymous sources familiar with the deliberations. Possible measures under consideration include de-listing Chinese-owned companies from the U.S. stock exchanges and prohibiting government pension programs from taking Chinese investment.
The president has broad powers under a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to restrict trade once a “national emergency” is declared. President Trump indicated that he may invoke the law in August.
Officials at the White House, the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, and the Treasury Department could not be reached for comment.
