Trump might be trying to trump Tencent’s grip on parts of the global games industry.
Gamers could see major industry stakes caught in geopolitical crossfire, as the United States government is reportedly reviewing whether Chinese tech giant Tencent should be allowed to keep its holdings in several of the world’s biggest game developers.
According to a report by Reuters, officials in the administration of Donald Trump are reportedly debating whether Tencent’s investments in Western gaming companies could pose national security concerns, just weeks before the U.S. president is expected to meet Xi Jinping in China this April.
The review could have implications for studios tied to some of gaming’s most recognisable titles, including Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite, and Riot Games, developer of League of Legends, VALORANT and 2XKO.
Government officials review whether Tencent’s gaming stakes pose a security risk
Senior officials have reportedly held internal discussions to evaluate whether Tencent’s investments in game studios across the United States and Europe could represent a national security risk.
The Financial Times reported that these internal meetings were aimed at determining whether the Chinese tech company should continue holding its gaming stakes. A cabinet-level meeting scheduled for Tuesday to review the matter was later postponed due to scheduling conflicts. Neither the White House nor Tencent immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the reported deliberations.
Tencent is one of the most influential companies in global gaming. It owns Riot Games outright and holds a stake in Epic Games, the creator of the massively popular battle royale hit Fortnite. Beyond the United States, Tencent also has major investments in Europe. In 2016, the company acquired a majority stake in Finnish studio Supercell, known for mobile juggernauts such as Clash of Clans, for roughly US$8.6 billion.
The timing of the discussions is notable, with Trump expected to travel to China in April for talks with Xi Jinping. While the review has not yet produced any official action, the debate highlights how global gaming companies and their ownership structures are increasingly intersecting with international politics.
For players, the stakes extend beyond boardroom decisions. Tencent’s investments underpin several of the industry’s biggest live-service titles and studios, meaning any shift in policy could ripple across some of gaming’s most played worlds.