Nicholas O'Keefe Analyzes Shifts in Cross‑Border Private Equity Investment

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Nicholas O’Keefe was quoted in the S&P Global Market Intelligence‘s article, “Regulatory strain hits mainland China, Hong Kong private equity investment in US,” analyzing the decline in Chinese private equity and venture capital investment in the United States.

“For sensitive jurisdictions like China, there is a real risk that the investment could get delayed or blocked. Many companies would rather forgo the investment than accommodate it on a delayed basis, with the risk that it may not get approved,” O’Keefe said.

He added that mainland private equity investors are also facing additional pressure from Beijing authorities especially “in key areas such as semiconductors.”

As a result, O’Keefe concluded that Chinese investors have shifted their focus to Europe’s venture capital industry, where they can play a more important role as funding sources.