Macau included in US list of ‘foreign adversaries’

A memorandum signed by President Donald Trump on the “America First Investment Policy” notes that the Macau Special Administrative Region (Macau SAR) has been officially included in the list of the United States of America’s “ foreign adversaries.”

The February 21 memo aims to clearly distinguish between the countries and regions that are US allies or adversaries for investment purposes.

Macau is listed in memo section 4, which defines who are the “foreign adversaries” of the US, stating, “For purposes of this memorandum, the term ‘foreign adversaries’ includes the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region; the Republic of Cuba; the Islamic Republic of Iran; the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; the Russian Federation; and the regime of Venezuelan politician Nicolás Maduro.”

In the first section of the memo, the US President notes that “America’s investment policy is critical to our national and economic security.  Welcoming foreign investment and strengthening the United States’ world-leading private and public capital markets will be a key part of America’s Golden Age.”

The same document also adds that “The United States has the world’s most attractive assets, in technology and across our economy, and we will make it easier for our overseas allies to support United States jobs, United States innovators, and United States economic growth with their capital.”

Trump notes that while the US is committed to maintaining an open investment environment that benefits the country, “new and evolving threats can accompany foreign investment.”

Aiming directly at China, Trump noted, “Certain foreign adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), systematically direct and facilitate investment in United States companies and assets to obtain cutting-edge technologies, intellectual property, and leverage in strategic industries.  The PRC pursues these strategies in diverse ways, both visible and concealed, and often through partner companies or investment funds in third countries.”

The US President remarks that reciprocity is needed in this relationship with the PRC, adding, “The PRC does not allow United States companies to take over its critical infrastructure, and the United States should not allow the PRC to take over United States critical infrastructure.”

The memo was made public the same day US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng. The US President called on Bessent to curb Chinese investments in critical sectors of the US economy.

The same document notes that Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are at the top of Trump’s concerns, with the US President stating, “It is the policy of the United States to preserve an open investment environment to help ensure that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies of the future are built, created, and grown right here in the United States.  Investment in our economy from our allies and partners, some of whom have tremendous sovereign wealth funds, supports the national interest.  My Administration will make the United States the world’s greatest destination for investment dollars, to the benefit of all of us.”

Also listed as areas of concern were investments in businesses involved in critical technology, critical infrastructure, personal data, and other sensitive areas, as well as the intention to restrict foreign investors from access to US assets.

Trump states these measures “will ease in proportion to their verifiable distance and independence from the predatory investment and technology-acquisition practices of the PRC and other foreign adversaries or threat actors.”