'Tough on China' Dem Senate Candidate Invests in Chinese Companies Linked to State Surveillance

A Democratic Senate candidate quietly unloaded at least $100,000 in stocks in two controversial Chinese tech giants around the same time he pivoted to a tough-on-Beijing stance on the campaign trail—but is declining to say whether he sold his stakes in other companies linked to Chinese forced labor.
Wisconsin Senate candidate Alex Lasry held between $100,000 and $200,000 in corporate securities stock in tech companies Tencent and Alibaba, according to his most recent financial disclosure report in August. The U.S. government has accused both companies of aiding the Chinese military. Lasry also disclosed investments in Inditex and Seagate Technology, which have been accused of profiting off forced labor in Xinjiang, and Chindata, a company that has been active in China’s Belt and Road Initiative—a global infrastructure program that U.S. officials have decried as a national security risk.
The stock sales took place as Lasry has worked to shake off allegations from Republicans that he and his family have profited from business with China. They also coincided with his campaign’s rebranding effort. In January, Lasry launched a $1 million campaign advertising blitz in which he promised to “stand up to China” and focus on supporting American businesses. But his investments in additional companies tied to human rights abuses could undercut his rebranding efforts.