Senator Casey's Investment in Chinese Oil Company Linked to Iran

Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is facing scrutiny over his financial ties to CNOOC, a Chinese state oil company blacklisted by the Pennsylvania treasury department for its oil sales to Iran. The agency first blacklisted CNOOC in 2010 and again in 2014, raising concerns about Casey's investment, albeit minimal, as he campaigns against Republican opponent Dave McCormick. Casey has criticized McCormick for his ties to Humanwell Pharmaceutical, a Chinese company linked to fentanyl production, which has been implicated in the rising drug overdose crisis in the U.S. Casey’s campaign has accused McCormick, the former co-CEO of Bridgewater Associates, of indirectly funding the fentanyl trade through a $1.7 million investment in Humanwell. However, there is no evidence that Humanwell produces fentanyl for illicit use, and the company asserts it does not export its products to the U.S. McCormick has countered Casey's claims, labeling them as lies and hypocrisy, particularly given Casey's own investment in Humanwell through the Massachusetts College Portfolio. The political tension escalated further when McCormick criticized Casey for his long tenure in office, suggesting that Casey has failed to address the fentanyl crisis effectively. He pointed out that under Casey's watch, the situation has deteriorated significantly, with over 100,000 overdose deaths reported last year. Meanwhile, Casey defended his record, asserting that his actions would enhance security for both Israel and the United States amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. As the campaign heats up, both candidates are leveraging their opponents' financial ties to foreign entities to bolster their narratives, highlighting the complexities of international relations and domestic policy in the electoral arena.