Last week, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS), a federal agency that reviews the national security implications of foreign investments in U.S. companies, approved the sale of the Chicago Stock Exchange Inc. to a Chinese investor consortium—despite concerns over the deal voiced by 46 members of Congress earlier this year.
But before the Chicago exchange deal was cleared, the U.S. government blocked several proposed Chinese investments in the U.S., citing national security concerns. The actions, taken even before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office, highlights heightened suspicion of China’s motives and the influence it has in the U.S. economy.
