Beijing, China -9 March 2017 –
China has granted preliminary approval for 38 trademarks linked to Donald Trump, documents on China’s state trademark office show, giving the US president and his family protection were they to develop the Trump brand – including hotels – in the market.
The trademarks – which in theory cover a wide sweep of businesses from hotels to mobile libraries and escorts – underline the complexities and potential concerns over conflicts of interest facing President Trump, who has a sprawling business empire using the Trump name around the world, Reuters reported.
The trademarks – mostly variations in English and Chinese on the name “Donald Trump” – were given preliminary approval in two lists published on the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.
Trump’s lawyers applied for the trademarks in April last year, mostly registered to “Donald J. Trump” and listing to the address of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in New York.
Some US law makers have raised questions about whether Trump’s position as president could prompt preferential treatment of his businesses. Trademark lawyers, however, said that the approval process did not seem that unusual.
Three of the trade marks, related to hotel brand Scion that Trump’s sons want to expand in the United States, are not directly registered in the president’s name but via DTTM Operations LLC.