While US retailers like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus have cut ties with Ivanka Trump’s brand due to disappointing sales, the name of US President Donald Trump's daughter is seen as a catalyst to business success in China.
Chinese companies have submitted at least 65 applications to use Ivanka Trump’s name as a trademark for their products, ranging from alcohol, tissues and wallpaper, according to South China Morning Post, quoting data from the National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System.
Ivanka Trump products /CFP Photo
Among them, a Beijing-based company that provides weight loss services filed 10 applications to use “Ivanka” on products ranging from cosmetics to nutritional supplements, according to the national trademark office.
Most of the applications are still being processed and it is still unknown whether the trademark authority will give green light to them.
Apart from trademarks, around 40 businesses have used the Chinese characters of Ivanka Trump's name to register their companies.
US President Donald Trump (L) and his daughter Ivanka Trump (R)/CFP Photo
The rush to trademark Ivanka’s name is due to her rising popularity in China, not only since the election of Donald Trump, but particularly after her visit to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC during the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Under Chinese law, businesses are permitted to use foreign names or Chinese translations of those names as trademarks, which has led to many disputes with western companies that want to protect their brands.
A hotel owned by ex real estate tycoon Donald Trump. /CFP Photo
Last week, China awarded US President Donald Trump a 10-year trademark for construction services in his own name. This win comes following a decade-long dispute after the business tycoon began his attempts to have the measure approved.
