Chinese‑linked media firms use complex ownership structures to bypass U.S. foreign‑ownership limits and seek CFIUS approval, with involvement of Obama administration and later Trump‑era political influence

Chinese‑linked media firms use complex ownership structures to bypass U.S. foreign‑ownership limits and seek CFIUS approval, with involvement of Obama administration and later Trump‑era political influence The passage identifies a concrete scheme—Phoenix Satellite TV and its U.S. affiliate RBC using a 20%/80% split to skirt FCC ownership caps, a CFIUS review that was escalated to the Obama White House, and a later 2018 attempt by former Global Times reporters (H&H Capital) to acquire a Mexican station to broadcast into the U.S. These details provide actionable leads (company names, dates, regulatory filings) and implicate high‑level U.S. bodies (CFIUS, the President) and Chinese state‑linked media, making it a strong but not yet blockbuster lead. Key insights: Phoenix Satellite TV structured a 20%/80% ownership deal with U.S. investor RBC to stay under the 25% foreign‑ownership cap.; CFIUS rejected the deal in 2013 and referred it to President Obama, citing a Phoenix employee’s espionage conviction.; RBC withdrew from the transaction on September 25, 2013.