Trump and her allies have dismissed concerns that the first daughter's White House role raises ethical red flags.
The report said that on April 6, when President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were meeting in Florida, Ivanka Trump's firm won provisional approval from China for three new trademarks, covering jewelry, bags and spa services. Those are in addition to at least five trademarks given preliminary approval since the presidential inauguration.
The scenario underscores the difficulties for the First Daughter to separate business from politics in her new position at the White House.
Any special treatment from China would mean that Trump effectively accepted a present from Beijing, an act that would violate the Constitution, Richard Painter, chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said in an email. Some argue that the more Ivanka Trump's business broadens its scope, the more it threatens to encroach on the couple's ability to deliver credible advice on core issues like trade, intellectual property and the value of the Chinese currency. "But if she keeps that clothing business, she can't do that".
As the Associated Press explained, "Owning a profitable business while in government is not illegal [but] making government decisions that benefit one's business is".
China, however, remains a nagging concern.
Ivanka Trump recently assumed an official role in her father's administration.
18th Century Parchment Copy of US Declaration of Independence Found in England
Bridgham miniature of 1836. "This is really a symbolic way of saying we are all one people". She and Allen soon realized its unique character.
"Ivanka has had no involvement with trademark applications submitted by the business", Jamie Gorelick, Ivanka Trump's lawyer, was quoted as saying. "For their own sake, and the country's, Ivanka and Jared should consider stepping away from China matters".
The week of the summit, 3.4 tons of Ivanka Trump handbags, wallets and blouses arrived in the USA from Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Even Ivanka's 5-year-old Arabella is a known figure in the communist nation after footage of her, singing a traditional song to President Xi Jinping during his USA visit earlier this month, went viral on Chinese social media. But Painter tells the AP only a full recusal on matters relating to trade with China would suffice, since "the danger is that with any discussion with the Chinese, one party or the other may try to bring up trade".
On April 18, ABC's World News, CBS's Evening News, NBC's Nightly News, and PBS' NewsHour all covered the AP report that Ivanka Trump secured valuable trademarks from China the day she sat down to a formal dinner with her father and the president of China. China's Trademark Office did not respond to a request for comment. Other countries where the company has pending and registered trademarks include Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Israel, Canada and Saudi Arabia.
MSNBC's Greta Van Susteren Defended Ivanka Trump.
All Four Major Broadcast Networks Reported On Ivanka Trump's Conflicts Of Interest. I would never have allowed it.
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