Trump's government equity stakes spark market and governance concerns
The Trump administration now holds or plans to hold stakes in at least 10 U.S. companies, including small critical-mineral firms and giants like Intel and U.S. Steel, in a bid to reduce dependence on China and Taiwan. Analysts warn that open-ended ownership risks capital misallocation, legal and political backlash, and conflicts of interest, with potential governance pressure on companies and increased scrutiny if political control shifts. There are also concerns about a lack of clear legal guardrails and the precedent this sets for future administrations; the long-term market impact remains uncertain.