Reuters reported today that Eric Trump and his wife Lara are scheduled to accompany Donald Trump on a state trip to China next month. Two sources told Reuters that Eric planned to work on business relations between the U.S. and China during the trip. The Trump Organization’s spokesperson, Kimberly Benza, clarified that Eric “does not have business ventures in China nor plans on doing business in China” and would be attending in a “personal capacity.” He will “not be participating in private meetings,” she added, “but will instead stand alongside the President to mark this historic occasion.”
Let’s Review What Was Said About Hunter Biden
The Trump family and their allies spent years alleging that Hunter Biden had profited from his father’s political position through overseas business dealings — in Ukraine, in China, and elsewhere. Trump called it “the big guy” scandal. It was a centerpiece of his 2020 and 2024 campaigns. Republicans held numerous congressional hearings on the matter. The DOJ prosecuted Hunter Biden. Now, Trump’s son is boarding a plane to China alongside the President of the United States, with multiple sources telling a major wire service that the purpose is business relations, and the response from the Trump Organization is: no private meetings, don’t worry about it, personal capacity.
Jared Kushner received a $2 billion investment from a Saudi fund shortly after leaving the White House, run by a board that includes close advisers to MBS — people Kushner had official dealings with during his government service. Ivanka Trump received valuable Chinese trademarks during the trade war while her father was negotiating with China. The Trump Organization has extensive international licensing deals. Eric Trump runs the Trump Organization. The family never fully divested from any of it.
China Is Central to Every Major Negotiation Right Now
This isn’t a random business trip coinciding with a state visit. China played a direct role in brokering the Iran war ceasefire. China is a major purchaser of Iranian oil and used that leverage to push Tehran toward negotiations. The White House confirmed Beijing’s involvement happened at “the top levels” of both governments. Trump is threatening China with 50% tariffs over alleged weapons supplies to Iran. The trade relationship between the U.S. and China is one of the most consequential geopolitical issues on the planet right now. And the president’s son — who runs the family business — is going to Beijing on Air Force One to “stand alongside the President.”
He “does not have business ventures in China nor plans on doing business in China.” He will “stand alongside the President to mark this historic occasion.” — Trump Organization spokesperson, explaining why Eric Trump is going to Beijing on a state trip
The “personal capacity” framing is doing a lot of work here. Eric Trump runs the Trump Organization. The Trump Organization operates hotels, golf courses, and branded real estate projects around the world, with licensing deals in multiple Asian markets. Going to China in a “personal capacity” while sources tell Reuters you’re working on “business relations” is not a different thing from what Hunter Biden was accused of. It is that thing.
The Bottom Line
There is no emoluments clause enforcement. There is no divestment. The same DOJ that prosecuted Hunter Biden is now run by Trump’s former personal defense attorney. The same Congress that held years of hearings on foreign business conflicts has said nothing about Eric Trump boarding a state trip to China. The receipts are not hiding. They’re right there. “Personal capacity.”
Sources
- The New Republic: Reuters report on Eric and Lara Trump joining China state trip; two sources on business relations purpose; Trump Organization spokesperson statement.
- AP/U.S. News: China’s role in Iran ceasefire negotiations; Trump state trip to China; Beijing as Iran’s largest oil purchaser.
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