Why the U.S. Is Threatening to Delist China Stars Like Alibaba

Some big-name Chinese stocks could eventually be kicked off the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq if they refuse to let U.S. regulators see their financial audits. An effort by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to gain access to audits of overseas companies, which began under former President Donald Trump, is continuing under President Joe Biden. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Baidu Inc. are among Chinese companies listed in the U.S. whose audit firms aren’t complying with the demand.

Critics say Chinese companies enjoy the trading privileges of a market economy -- including access to U.S. stock exchanges -- while receiving government support and operating in an opaque system. In addition to disclosure of audits, the U.S. initiative would require foreign companies to disclose if they’re controlled by a government.