What Happened: The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) reportedly adjusted its investment strategy in December 2018 after learning that some of its funds had been used to bail out a company owned by U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, Reuters reported Feb. 11.
Why It Matters: QIA decided to adjust its strategy due to strong ties between Kushner and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatar's geopolitical rival. QIA is one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, so its decision will have significant business and investment implications. What's more, the move highlights the risk from ongoing tensions in the region.
Background: A company Kushner owns received a bailout in August 2018 from Brookfield Asset Management, a Canadian fund that the QIA holds a 9 percent stake in.
Read More:
- Qatar: Doha Says Goodbye to OPEC (Dec. 3, 2018)
- The Gulf's Smaller States Use Their Wiles to Fend Off Bigger Rivals (Nov. 13, 2018)
- The Blockade on Qatar Opens the Door for Competition (Aug. 14, 2018)
