President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized his political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter Biden, for their foreign business dealings, accusing them of corruption and conflict of interest. However, Trump has been silent on his own family’s extensive overseas ventures, which have raised ethical and legal questions about his role as president.
Trump has claimed, without evidence, that Hunter Biden made millions of dollars from China and Ukraine by using his influence as the son of the vice president. He has also called on China and Ukraine to investigate the Bidens, a move that sparked an impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives.
However, Trump has not addressed the fact that his own children, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, have been involved in numerous foreign business deals, some of which have benefited from his presidency. According to a report by The New York Times, the Trump family has pursued projects in countries such as India, Indonesia, Turkey, Scotland, Ireland, Uruguay and the Philippines. Some of these deals have been facilitated by foreign governments or officials who have sought to curry favor with Trump.
For example, Ivanka Trump received trademarks from China for her clothing and accessories line after she joined her father’s administration as a senior adviser. She also attended a dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s resort in Florida, where she discussed a development project in Beijing with a Chinese business partner.
Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have continued to run the Trump Organization, the family’s real estate and branding empire, while their father is in office. They have traveled around the world to promote and launch new properties, often with the help of local politicians and businessmen who have ties to Trump. They have also defended their father’s policies and attacked his critics on social media and in public appearances.
Experts say Trump’s foreign business poses unprecedented conflicts
Trump’s foreign business interests have raised concerns among ethics experts, who say they pose unprecedented conflicts of interest for a sitting president. Unlike his predecessors, Trump has not divested from his business empire or placed it in a blind trust. Instead, he has handed over the management to his sons and retained ownership of his assets.
This means that Trump can still profit from his foreign business deals, which may influence his decisions on foreign policy and national security. For instance, Trump has praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been accused of human rights violations and authoritarianism, while his company operates two luxury towers in Istanbul. He has also maintained friendly relations with Saudi Arabia, despite its involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while his company has sought to expand its presence in the Middle East.
Moreover, Trump’s foreign business deals may expose him to legal risks and potential blackmail by foreign adversaries. For example, Trump’s company has partnered with a state-owned bank in China to finance a skyscraper in New York City. The bank is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for violating sanctions against Iran. If the bank were to cut off its loans or demand repayment from Trump’s company, it could put pressure on Trump to change his stance on China or Iran.
Additionally, Trump’s company has faced allegations of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion in several countries where it operates. These allegations could be used by foreign governments or entities to extort or compromise Trump or his associates.
Biden denies any wrongdoing by himself or his son
Biden has denied any wrongdoing by himself or his son in their foreign business dealings. He has said that he never discussed Hunter Biden’s work with him or intervened on his behalf with any foreign government or official. He has also said that he followed the Obama administration’s ethics rules and guidelines when he was vice president.
Hunter Biden has also defended his foreign business activities, but admitted that he exercised “poor judgment” in some cases. He has said that he did not receive any money from China or Ukraine for his involvement in a private equity fund and a gas company respectively. He has also said that he did not benefit from his father’s position or influence.
However, Hunter Biden has acknowledged that he made some mistakes and regrets giving an opening to Trump and his allies to attack him and his father. He has also said that he will not work for any foreign-owned company or serve on any foreign board if his father becomes president.
