The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) backed off a plan to delist three Chinese telecommunications companies on Monday, a move that was incited by an executive order from US President Donald Trump.
Trump’s November 12 order claimed that the Chinese companies were “exploit[ing] United States investors to finance the development and modernization of its military.” Finding this to be a national emergency, he banned the trading of securities that directly or indirectly financed the Chinese military-industrial complex.
In response to the order, the NYSE announced that they would delist three Chinese telecommunication companies—China Mobile, China Telecommunications and China Unicom Hong Kong.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce vowed to take “necessary measures” to protect the interest of their enterprises. Officials also criticized the US government for using the guise of national security interests to reduce competition.
The NYSE cited “further consultation with relevant regulatory authorities” as their reason for halting the plan. Market analysts have called NYSE’s reversal bizarre and surprising. It comes less than a week before trading for the companies was to be suspended.
The NYSE did say they would “continue to evaluate the applicability of Executive Order 13959 to these Issuers and their continued listing status.”