China grants preliminary approval to 38 new Trump trademarks

FILE - In this file photo taken Oct. 6, 2014, a worker removes letters from a Trump logo in Atlantic City, N.J.China has granted preliminary approval for 38 new Trump trademarks, fueling concerns about conflicts of interest and preferential treatment of the U.S. president. The marks pave the way for branded spas, golf clubs, hotels, and even private body guard and escort services in China _though it’s not clear if those businesses will actually materialize. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File) (The Associated Press)

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FILE - In this Friday, March 3, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he walks down the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. China has granted preliminary approval for 38 new Trump trademarks, fueling concerns about conflicts of interest and preferential treatment of the U.S. president. The marks pave the way for branded spas, golf clubs, hotels, and even private body guard and escort services in China _though it’s not clear if those businesses will actually materialize. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez, File) (The Associated Press)

Computer screens showing some of the Trump trademarks approved by China's Trademark office and seen on their website in Beijing, China, Wednesday, March 8, 2017. China has granted preliminary approval for 38 new Trump trademarks, fueling conflict of interest concerns and questions about whether President Donald Trump is receiving special treatment from the Chinese government. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) (The Associated Press)

SHANGHAI – China has granted preliminary approval for 38 new Trump trademarks, fueling conflict of interest concerns and questions about whether President Donald Trump is receiving special treatment from the Chinese government.

The trademarks pave the way for branded spas, massage parlors, golf clubs, hotels and even private bodyguard and escort services across China.

Trump has said he will not conduct new foreign deals while in office. And in China, it's common to register trademarks defensively, as a way to prevent trademark squatting.

All the marks were applied for in April 2016, while Trump was campaigning. China's Trademark Office published the preliminary approvals on Feb. 27 and Monday. If no one objects, they will be formally registered after 90 days. All but three are in the president's own name.