Sequoia Made a Fortune Investing in the U.S. and China. Then It Had to Pick One.

Contact Your Elected Officials
Wall Street Journal Header

Scrutiny from Washington aggravated tensions within the venture-capital firm, fueling its decision to break up

Sequoia Capital became the most consistent moneymaking venture-capital firm in history, placing huge winning bets in the U.S. and in China. In the end, the Silicon Valley firm found it had to choose just one.

Scrutiny of Sequoia’s China ventures had been rising in Washington for months, with officials and members of Congress hammering the firm for bankrolling Chinese technology competitors and potentially boosting China’s military. Then, last summer, Sequoia’s China arm tapped American investors to raise a record $8.5 billion to pour into promising Chinese companies, and the pressure notched higher. 

The Biden administration’s senior Asia policy official, Kurt Campbell, confronted Sequoia’s top executive in Washington, Don Vieira. Campbell asked why Sequoia would fund Chinese companies that might threaten U.S. national security and do so when Washington wants that financing to stop, according to people familiar with the matter. 

Vieira explained that Sequoia China doesn’t invest in defense technology, but given the firm’s structure, Sequoia in the U.S. has no control over the China unit’s investments, the people familiar with the matter said. 

It wasn’t enough. Sequoia this month bowed to the fraught competition between the U.S. and China in announcing a plan to break up the firm. Its senior partners unanimously made the decision, Sequoia said. A public statement cited the rising complexity of running a decentralized, global investment firm. 

The bitter rivalry between the two major powers made Sequoia a political lightning rod in Washington and exacerbated tensions within the firm, feeding into the decision to break up. 

By Kate O’Keeffe, Berber Jin, Aruna Viswanatha

Read Full Article on WSJ.com

Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journalhttps://www.wsj.com/
The Wall Street Journal was founded in July 1889. Ever since, the Journal has led the way in chronicling the rise of industries in America and around the world.

Canada Forces Man to Remove Cameras From Private Property Amid Anti-Racism Push

Government expands its surveillance powers, while restricting citizens from monitoring their own property, citing concerns over “racism.”

Are the E. Jean Carroll Lawsuits a RICO Case?

Trump lost his appeal in the E. Jean Carroll cases, leaving him liable for $83.3M. He plans to take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court.

All Apologies For the Culture War Slop

"Forgive me for ignoring the elite-driven political/economic excesses, focusing instead on divisive culture war slop."

Rising sea levels are less of a threat than we were told

New study challenges climate alarmism: sea levels aren't rising faster than the past century, despite dire warnings of floods and mass migrations.

President Trump is Being Wrongfully Obstructed on Tariffs

Podcaster Zach De Gregorio, in “Wolves And Finance,” delivers a sharp editorial unpacking the truth behind Trump’s international tariff policies.

Authors of ‘Astonishing’ Study Showing Unvaccinated Kids Are Healthier Refused to Go Public With Results

Attorney Aaron Siri told the Senate a major study found vaccinated children were significantly more likely to develop chronic diseases.

US Government Imposes Sanctions on Cyber Scam Centers in Southeast Asia

U.S. govt has imposed sanctions on 19 individuals and entities for their alleged roles in an extensive network of scam centers in Burma and Cambodia.

DOJ Announces Federal Charges Against Suspect in Fatal Stabbing of Ukrainian Woman

DOJ charged man accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee on a light-rail in Charlotte, amid a growing national outcry over her murder.

Texas A&M Ousts 2 Officials After Student and Professor Clash Over Gender Identity Lesson

Texas A&M officials were removed and DOJ probe launched after video showed prof. dismissing student over gender lesson in children's literature class.

Trump Runs out of Patience With China, Sharpens His Words

President Donald Trump’s recent remarks targeting China and its allies mark a noticeable shift in tone.

Trump Signs Order Renaming Department of Defense as Department of War

President Donald Trump on Sept. 5 signed an executive order renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Countries That Unlawfully Detain Americans

President Trump signed an EO on targeting the unlawful detention of American citizens around the world and to facilitate the release of hostages.

Trump Sends Warning to Venezuela After US Military Strikes Boat Allegedly Carrying Drugs

President Trump sent a warning to Venezuela after the U.S. military struck what the administration says was a boat carrying drugs in the Caribbean.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central