The United States recently added Tencent to its blacklist. According to a report from Bloomberg, this move is due to the tech and entertainment giant’s alleged connections with the Chinese military. Tencent, however, believes its inclusion on the list is “a mistake.”
Tencent’s spokesperson, Danny Marti, made a statement to clarify the situation: “We are not a military company or supplier,” he emphasized. He further noted that, “Unlike sanctions or export controls, this listing does not affect our business operations. Nevertheless, we plan to engage with the Department of Defense to resolve any misconceptions.”
This blacklist traces its origins back to a 2020 executive order issued by former President Trump. That order prevented American firms from investing in Chinese companies believed to have military ties.
In the gaming world, Tencent is unmatched in size. The company owns well-known entities like Riot Games, Funcom, and Sumo Digital, and it also holds significant stakes in Epic Games, Remedy, and Larian Studios.
