Trump offloads tens of millions in AI, tech shares, led by Microsoft, Amazon, Meta
US President Donald Trump sold tens of millions of US dollars in tech shares during July. Disclosures from the US Office of Government Ethics show he offloaded up to US$31 million in Microsoft stock. He also sold up to US$26 million of Amazon shares and US$1 million in Nvidia. These transactions occurred amidst intensifying competition with China in the tech sector, potentially reflecting his views on the industry.
Trump's divestment of up to US$31 million in Microsoft and US$26 million in Amazon shares in July is a political signal, not a market one. His administration’s ongoing tech rivalry with China points to continued pressure on US tech giants. The sales suggest a strategic distancing from companies that might face scrutiny under an intensified tech-nationalist agenda.
For Asia, this points to sustained US pressure on companies like TSMC and Samsung Electronics. Both are critical to the global semiconductor supply chain and vulnerable to US policy shifts. The focus will remain on their export controls and manufacturing footprint in the US, rather than on their direct sales to China.
The thing to watch is whether a future Trump administration enforces new restrictions on US tech companies' operations in China. This would force Asian partners to choose sides, impacting supply chains and R&D budgets across the region. Any new policy could trigger a re-evaluation of investment strategies for Asian tech firms.
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