By Exec Edge Editorial Staff
The news that John McEntee, one of Donald Trump’s closest aides, has officially registered to lobby for Tencent might sound like just another addition to K Street’s crowded roster. But in reality, the move underscores a bigger story. Chinese firms are navigating Washington at a time of deepening economic tensions, and a new generation of political insiders is shaping the path forward.
For Tencent – the world’s largest gaming company and owner of the popular WeChat app – hiring McEntee represents a calculated strategy. In January, the Pentagon placed Tencent on a blacklist of firms allegedly linked to the Chinese military. Tencent has vigorously disputed the designation, calling it an “erroneous” classification that undermines its U.S. operations.
Rather than retreat, the company has doubled down on its Washington presence. McEntee joins an already formidable bench of Republican lobbyists – Bryan Lanza, former Sen. David Vitter, and veteran strategist Marty Obst among them. Together, they will be tasked with convincing regulators that Tencent should not be painted with the same brush as defense-linked Chinese firms.
When Access Becomes an Asset
John McEntee’s emergence as a corporate lobbyist is significant in its own right. Previously known primarily as Trump’s “body man” and later as the head of the Office of Presidential Personnel, he oversaw thousands of federal appointments and built a network that reaches across government agencies. That knowledge now becomes a commercial asset.
McEntee lends Tencent not just political access but cultural relevance. He is a conservative influencer with a sizable online following and is among the first voices – if not the first – in right-wing politics to speak against banning TikTok. His stance made him an unconventional, but credible, bridge between U.S. political circles and Chinese tech firms..
The lobbying campaign also highlights a broader debate in U.S.-China business relations. Some economists have argued that companies like Tencent have been unfairly maligned by elected officials.
In a 2024 report in the Center for Strategic & International Studies, senior adviser Scott Kennedy said that the framing of all aspects of U.S.-China relations through a security lens has impeded collaboration, impairing mutual understanding and ultimately harming the interests of both countries.[1]
For retail and institutional investors alike, Tencent’s decision to retain figures like McEntee is a signal that the company is willing to engage in that debate rather than cede ground. On Sept. 9, the day after Politico’s report ran, shares of Tencent Holdings in the U.S. stock market saw a modest uptick, underscoring how even symbolic moves in Washington can ripple through financial markets.
[1]https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-china-scholarly-recoupling-advancing-mutual-understanding-era-intense-rivalry?
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