China Contributing $500 Million to Trump-Linked Project in Indonesia

[kevindavis007]

The Chinese government is extending a $500 million loan to a state-owned construction company to build an Indonesian theme park that will feature a Trump-branded golf course and hotels.

A subsidiary of Chinese state-owned construction firm Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) signed a deal last week with the Indonesian firm MNC Land to build an “integrated lifestyle resort,” as part of Beijing’s global influence-expanding “Belt and Road” infrastructure initiative.

The project will include a number of Trump-branded hotels, a golf course, and a residence. While the $500 million loan will not be directly allocated to any of the Trump-branded features, Beijing’s contribution of half the project’s total operating budget ensures the success of the broader theme-park venture.

Read More: https://www.nationalreview.com/news/china-contributing-500-million-trump-linked-project-indonesia/

[txradioguy]

Well that explains the weird move with ZTE and Trump referring to the ChiCom leader as "my good friend Xi".

[Sanguine]

Well that explains the weird move with ZTE and Trump referring to the ChiCom leader as "my good friend Xi".

I sure hope you're wrong.

[GrouchoTex]

From the article:


The project will include a number of Trump-branded hotels, a golf course, and a residence. While the $500 million loan will not be directly allocated to any of the Trump-branded features, Beijing’s contribution of half the project’s total operating budget ensures the success of the broader theme-park venture.

The Trump properties are considered flagship elements of the theme park, according to MNC marketing materials, and internal documents obtained by Agency France-Presse show Trump’s sons have been directly involved in its planning.

Though negotiations began prior to Trump’s election and his pledge to cease engaging in new business dealings with foreign governments, the project raises questions about the extent to which the Trump organization is dependent on Beijing amid contentious trade negotiations with the U.S.

“Even if this deal is completely and entirely above board, it simply furthers the perception of impropriety” surrounding Trump’s business dealings, Christopher Balding, an economics professor at Shenzhen’s HSBC Business School, told AFP. “Especially with the potential trade war, this is not a good look….Critics will be entirely right to demand answers.

Right or wrong, the optics are not good.

[edpc]

There’s a lot going on with China that isn’t getting a ton of attention, but shouldn’t sit well with people.  They have openly allied with Russia’s military to oppose us.


http://www.newsweek.com/china-military-tells-russia-weve-come-support-you-against-us-870070


They have become more threatening To Taiwan.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-sends-fighter-jets-near-taiwan-latest-show-114446350.html


They have militarized artificial islands in the South China Sea.


https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/02/china-added-missile-systems-on-spratly-islands-in-south-china-sea.html


IMO, the developments in North Korea have less to do with real peace interests and more to do with China wanting a smaller US presence in the region, so they can eventually establish a stranglehold on their Nine Dash Line goals.  Putting a leash on a dog, plus $500M is a small price to pay for securing vast untapped reserves of oil and gas.  The Art of the Deal, indeed.

[skeeter]

From the article:


The project will include a number of Trump-branded hotels, a golf course, and a residence. While the $500 million loan will not be directly allocated to any of the Trump-branded features, Beijing’s contribution of half the project’s total operating budget ensures the success of the broader theme-park venture.

The Trump properties are considered flagship elements of the theme park, according to MNC marketing materials, and internal documents obtained by Agency France-Presse show Trump’s sons have been directly involved in its planning.

Though negotiations began prior to Trump’s election and his pledge to cease engaging in new business dealings with foreign governments, the project raises questions about the extent to which the Trump organization is dependent on Beijing amid contentious trade negotiations with the U.S.

“Even if this deal is completely and entirely above board, it simply furthers the perception of impropriety” surrounding Trump’s business dealings, Christopher Balding, an economics professor at Shenzhen’s HSBC Business School, told AFP. “Especially with the potential trade war, this is not a good look….Critics will be entirely right to demand answers.

Right or wrong, the optics are not good.

Its a pretty benign connection but you're right, Trump should find a way to extricate his interests in the deal. It provides the left a lever.

[GrouchoTex]

Its a pretty benign connection but you're right, Trump should find a way to extricate his interests in the deal. It provides the left a lever.

It is a partnership with a state owned corporation, and that state ain't Mississippi.

[skeeter]

It is a partnership with a state owned corporation, and that state ain't Mississippi.

Trump's interest in the deal goes back to before the election. The Chinese government became involved just last week.

So, I guess you could say now its a 'partnership'. But that would be a bit hyperbolic, don't you think?

[TomSea]

'See You in Court': Obama Ethics Czar Accuses Trump of Constitutional Violation
BRITTANY SHEPHERD

A senior advisor to former President Barack Obama has accused President Donald Trump of violating the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.

Norm Eisen, top Ethics Czar of the Obama administration, tweeted a report from the South China Morning Post Monday revealing that a Trump-affiliated property development in Indonesia received a massive influx — nearly $500 million — of Chinese government funds.

Eisen wrote:

The Emoluments Clause, also known as the Title of the Nobility Clause, of the Constitution restricts federal governments from receiving gifts, payments, titles, or offices from foreign entities without Congressional approval. Transactions such as the multi-million dollar payment from Chinese government-backed firm Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) to Trump-linked MNC Land raises questions of the limits of emoluments clause.

Read more at: https://ijr.com/2018/05/1095092-ethics-czar-accuses-trump-constitution-violation/

[GrouchoTex]

Trump's interest in the deal goes back to before the election. The Chinese government became involved just last week.

So, I guess you could say now its a 'partnership'. But that would be a bit hyperbolic, don't you think?

I wouldn't say that it is Hyperbole, it is a partnership, when it happened doesn't change that fact.
Trump needs to run from this, or it will have the appearance of China engaging in influence peddling, even if that is not the case.

[txradioguy]

I sure hope you're wrong.

I hope I'm wrong too. 

[skeeter]

I wouldn't say that it is Hyperbole, it is a partnership, when it happened doesn't change that fact.
Trump needs to run from this, or it will have the appearance of China engaging in influence peddling, even if that is not the case.

Trump needs to run from this deal precisely because of its potential to be unfairly characterized.

There may be contractural considerations that will make that more difficult than we might believe.

[edpc]

When you can no longer secure financing from US institutions, I suppose you need to rely on sanctioned entities like VTB, Qatari financiers, or Chicom money.

[kevindavis007]

From the article:


The project will include a number of Trump-branded hotels, a golf course, and a residence. While the $500 million loan will not be directly allocated to any of the Trump-branded features, Beijing’s contribution of half the project’s total operating budget ensures the success of the broader theme-park venture.

The Trump properties are considered flagship elements of the theme park, according to MNC marketing materials, and internal documents obtained by Agency France-Presse show Trump’s sons have been directly involved in its planning.

Though negotiations began prior to Trump’s election and his pledge to cease engaging in new business dealings with foreign governments, the project raises questions about the extent to which the Trump organization is dependent on Beijing amid contentious trade negotiations with the U.S.

“Even if this deal is completely and entirely above board, it simply furthers the perception of impropriety” surrounding Trump’s business dealings, Christopher Balding, an economics professor at Shenzhen’s HSBC Business School, told AFP. “Especially with the potential trade war, this is not a good look….Critics will be entirely right to demand answers.

Right or wrong, the optics are not good.

Agreed.. Not good optics.