Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald J. Trump could face some conflicts of interest if his family moves forward with plans to seek Chinese investors in a New Jersey real estate proposal.
One proposed deal would have provided U.S. visas to the investors. As they made a presentation in Shanghai, a picture of the President was shown and it was mentioned that Kushner’s sister, Nicole Meyer, mentioned her brother was a high-ranking administration official. This set off red flags that the family was potentially using its ties to the White House to land the deal, walking a fine ethical line. Kushner has severed relations with the family business, but he could reap benefits once his White House stint ends.
According to CNBC, Meyer made the presentation to Chinese investors regarding potential $500,000 investments in a luxury apartment project in Jersey City, N.J. That sum is the minimum under the EB-5 visa program that allows foreigners to stay two years in the U.S. and eases the way to obtaining permanent residency.
Executives from Kushner Companies, including Meyer, were scheduled to appear in the southern cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou and the central city of Wuhan this month, according to ads for the events. However, the furor raised over the potential conflict may have forced those plans to be scrubbed. Whether that ultimately leads to their withdrawal from the project remains to be seen. The company and its Chinese partner said on Friday that Kushner Companies would no longer be present at those events, although it will continue to actively court investors. According to Risa B. Heller, a spokeswoman for Kushner Companies, its employees would no longer participate in the roadshow after taking part in meetings in Beijing and Shanghai on May 6-7,
“No one from Kushner Companies will be in China this weekend.”
Speaking at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Beijing on Saturday, Meyer said the New Jersey project, called One Journal Square, was of keen interest to her family.
“It means a lot to me and my entire family.”
Hao Junbo, a lawyer in Beijing, told the New York Times that Meyer’s emphasis on family connections couldn’t hurt their chances. He said it would be a “winning message” in China.
“Chinese people have a tradition of worshiping powerful officials. It’s an innate attraction to Chinese investors. They will automatically label the program as one with official backing after they hear the name of Trump’s son-in-law.”
