Barry Sternlicht says the ‘deck is stacked’ in China and he is not a fan of investing there

International investor Barry Sternlicht advised CNBC on Wednesday he continues to carry a cautious view on investing in China.

“We’re not traders immediately in China,” the chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group stated in an interview on “Squawk Box.” “It isn’t a China factor, a lot as nations the place we predict the deck is stacked or we will not underwrite the political threat of the funding. It is simply, why hassle?”

Sternlicht’s feedback Wednesday comply with Beijing’s recent regulatory crackdown on all method of industries, together with expertise and private education firms. The developments thrust again into the highlight considerations many abroad traders have had about working in China, the place the communist authorities might be unpredictable in exerting its far-reaching energy over companies.

Sternlicht, whose agency largely focuses on world actual property, has for years warned in regards to the challenges of investing in China. For instance, in a 2015 Bloomberg interview, he stated the Chinese language authorities’s central planning is “not at all times that apparent to the overseas investor” and prompt he would not get sufficient return for the danger he is taking up.

Starwood Capital has, nevertheless, partnered with Chinese language developer Shimao Property Holdings to function a lodge three way partnership within the nation, which is house to the world’s second-largest economic system. In accordance with a 2017 press release, Shimao owned 51%, whereas Miami-based Starwood owned 49%.

Past that Shimao enterprise, Sternlicht advised the journey information website Skift final yr that his agency was “not ready to be adventurous” in China. “It isn’t my consolation zone,” he added then.

Extra broadly, Sternlicht stated he holds considerations in regards to the financial implications of U.S.-China relations proper now, significantly because it pertains to Beijing’s recent encroachments on Taiwan.

Earlier this month, the U.S. State Division said in a statement it was nervous about China’s “provocative army exercise close to Taiwan” and urged Beijing to “stop its army, diplomatic, and financial stress and coercion” towards the democratic self-ruled island.

Taiwan holds a key place within the world economic system due to its dominance in the semiconductor industry. Nevertheless, China claims Taiwan as a part of its personal territory.

Whereas saying the U.S. is unlikely to go to “bodily conflict” with China over Taiwan, Sternlicht nervous that the Biden administration could ratchet up financial sanctions and intensify the commerce conflict that started beneath former President Donald Trump.

“It could strategically be a nightmare for america,” Sternlicht stated. “Semiconductors will likely be extra essential than oil for this nation,” he added. “Neglect reserves. We want a semiconductor reserve as a result of your washer will cease working. It is a severe concern.”

“That’s, actually, the danger to the fairness market as a result of we are going to most certainly begin with a sanction, world sanctions towards China. They suppose in 100-year intervals. We’ve traders that purchase firms for weeks, not even months, so they’ll wait us out,” he added. … They’ve an enormous aggressive benefit.”