Latest news with #USPatentandTrademarkOffice
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
US government employee stopped from leaving China, US says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The man was reportedly a Chinese American employee of the US Patent and Trademark Office. WASHINGTON - An employee of the US government was prevented from leaving China while on a personal trip, the State Department said on July 22, renewing an issue that has divided the two powers. 'We can confirm that a US Patent and Trademark Office employee, while travelling to China in a personal capacity, was made subject to an exit ban in China,' a State Department spokesperson said. 'We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.' Beijing declined to discuss the case in detail. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters, 'China is a country under the rule of law, and it handles entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.' The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, said the man was a Chinese American who was visiting family and was stopped for not disclosing his work for the US government on his visa application. In the final months of former president Joe Biden's term, China freed three jailed Americans in a swop. The United States in turn agreed to loosen its travel warning for China, encouraging Americans to 'exercise caution' rather than discouraging travel. While the Biden administration hailed its efforts to free detained US citizens, advocates say other Americans, generally dual nationals, are subject to exit bans on leaving China. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The US earlier this month said it had arrested two Chinese nationals who allegedly sought to recruit US Navy servicepeople as intelligence assets. President Donald Trump has described China as the top adversary of the United States but has also spoken fondly of his relationship with counterpart Xi Jinping. AFP
India Today
22-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Detained for months: Why China is blocking a US official from leaving
The US government has accused China of preventing one of its employees from leaving the country, in a case that is deepening tensions between Washington and man, a US Patent and Trademark Office employee, was visiting China in a personal capacity when authorities blocked his departure, reportedly after discovering he hadn't disclosed his government job on his visa application. The US Patent and Trademark Office is part of the federal Department of are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,' a State Department spokesperson said Monday. Though his name hasn't been made public, reports suggest the Commerce Department worker had travelled to see family months ago. The Washington Post on Sunday reported that the issue arose when Chinese authorities found he hadn't listed his US government employment on his visa application. The New York Times added that questioning focused more on his past military service than his current patent office New York Times further reported that the man disclosed to Chinese authorities that he had held an entry-level position at a nuclear institute in China, pursued graduate studies in engineering at a university in Puerto Rico, and had worked on Black Hawk helicopter maintenance during his time in the US Army. The case became so sensitive that a senior US diplomat and a diplomatic security officer travelled to Chengdu to meet with him. During the May 1 visit, the diplomat noted the Commerce employee was under 'heavy surveillance.'Beijing has long used exit bans against both Chinese and foreign nationals — sometimes tied to legal disputes, regulatory enforcement and criminal investigations. Analysts say the tactic is at times used to crack down on local dissent and also as diplomatic leverage in disputes with other case isn't isolated. Chenyue Mao, a US citizen and Wells Fargo banker, has also been blocked from leaving China. China's foreign ministry said Monday she was cooperating in a criminal case. Wells Fargo has since suspended all employee travel to move to restrict the American employee comes at a delicate moment for US-China relations, as President Trump wages an aggressive trade war against Beijing. During a visit to Malaysia earlier this month, Marco Rubio remarked that 'the odds are high' Trump and Xi will meet later this year.- EndsWith inputs from ReutersMust Watch
Mint
21-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
State Department Confirms China Barred US Citizen From Leaving
The US State Department confirmed that a US Patent and Trademark Office employee has been barred from leaving China, and said officials were working to resolve the situation. The department said the employee was 'made subject to an exit ban' while traveling in China 'in a personal capacity.' 'We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible,' the department said. The statement confirmed earlier reports in the Washington Post and elsewhere that China had stopped the US citizen from departing for several months. The Post said the ban was put in place over an apparent failure to disclose on a visa application that he worked for the US government. Officials from Beijing and Washington — including in the Commerce Department — are negotiating a trade deal after President Donald Trump hit goods from China with heavy tariffs that he later paused. Trump also wants a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to sort through their problems, which touch on technology curbs, rare earths and the status of Taiwan. The Commerce Department employee, a veteran of the US Army, was detained when he arrived in the southwestern city of Chengdu in April, the South China Morning Post reported Sunday, citing a person familiar with the situation. He was being prevented from leaving China because his case was 'related to actions Beijing deemed harmful to national security,' the newspaper reported, though the specifics couldn't be confirmed. Since the man arrived in Chengdu, he had also traveled to the Chinese capital with a US official, the newspaper reported. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Is Donald Trump unstoppable?
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The US President is powering ahead with the One Big Beautiful Bill passed. Congress and the courts have had little effect against his blitz of executive orders. The secret of Mr Trump's success lies in understanding earlier than most other US politicians how technology changed the nature of politics. On June 16, 2015, Donald Trump descended the golden escalator at Trump Tower in New York to launch his presidential bid with the memorable pledge of 'we are going to make our country great again'. Soon after , he refined the slogan to 'Make America Great Again' (Maga). And always the businessman, he got the slogan registered on July 14, 2015, as a service mark with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Scottish Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Fresh career boost for teen darts sensation Luke Littler as his plans for US stardom are revealed
Luke is already a millionaire after bursting onto darts scene aged 16 NUKE TARGETS U.S. Fresh career boost for teen darts sensation Luke Littler as his plans for US stardom are revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS champ Luke Littler plans to become a sporting icon in the US, documents reveal. The 18-year-old has applied to have his name and nickname The Nuke trademarked in America. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up He has filed documents with the US Patent and Trademark Office for protection to sell goods such as clothes, sporting goods, luggage, books, and even food and drink. He is already a millionaire after shooting to fame at 16 as runner-up in the 2024 World Darts Championship. He then won the title in January. His latest move will prevent bootleggers from using his moniker and cashing in on his fame. One expert told us: 'It grants the owner exclusive rights.' The Warrington-born whiz kid already has similar trademark protection in the UK. Luke has been in the States in recent days. He was among the headline attractions at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York last weekend as the world's top players went Stateside for the US Darts Masters. However, his campaign ended at the quarter-final stage by his good friend and stablemate Nathan Aspinall, who triumphed 6-4 against the teenager. Luke Littler launches new McDonald's burger as darts sensation, 18, adds fast food giants to lucrative brand deals
