Ivanka Trump's merchandise supply chain in China shrouded in secrecy

Ivanka Trump's merchandise supply chain in China shrouded in secrecy - It is no secret that the bulk of Ivanka Trump's merchandise comes from China. But just which Chinese companies manufacture and export her line is more secret than ever, an Associated Press investigation has found.

Identifying 90 per cent of companies involved in shipping Ivanka Trump's merchandise has suddenly got a little harder to crack

Since Ivanka Trump became an official adviser to her father, public information about companies importing her branded goods to the US has become harder to find.

Information that once routinely appeared in private trade tracking data has vanished; leaving the identities of companies involved in 90 per cent of shipments a mystery.

Even less is known about her manufacturers. Trump's brand, which she still owns, declined to disclose the information.

The deepening secrecy means it's unclear who Ivanka Trump's company is doing business with in China, even as she and her husband, Jared Kushner, have emerged as important conduits for top Chinese officials in Washington.

The lack of disclosure makes it difficult to understand whether foreign governments could use business ties to try to influence the White House — and whether her company stands to profit from foreign government subsidies that can destroy American jobs.

"I don't know how much money she's making on this and why it's worth it. I think it's putting our trade policy in a very awkward situation," said Richard Painter, who served as chief White House ethics lawyer for George W Bush, and is part of a lawsuit against President Donald Trump for alleged constitutional violations.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/ivanka-trump-china-supply-chain-merchandise-tracking-data-us-presdient-first-daughter-a7967321.html