The issue is that the real story is Trump's imposition of tariffs in an attempt to "make the US great again" and discredit/punish/bully trading partners. China is bearing the brunt of this and Hik are part of that equation. With Trump off the scene, a new administration would seek to repair the colossal international damage caused. The issue for Hik is how to sail around this - do they seek a short-term solution or do they play the long game?
For my money, I'd say Hik will play the long game and wait until Trump is no longer. They have deep pockets and a strong worldwide market. They will ride the storm with damage limitation and accept that the US is a short-term problem. A new administration will be seeking to rebuilt relationships and create new jobs and wealth, without raising the climate of fear and hate as Trump has done. Hik will then engage and build manufacturing and R&D facilities in targeted areas in the US in return for the relaxing of sanctions, bills etc. at the same time as partnering/acquiring a domestically respected (US) IT partner.
Time will tell....but in the same way as the UK acquisition of Pyronix in the UK surprised a lot of people, their vision was clear. I see something happening similar in the US - once Trump is taken out of the reckoning.
NOTICE: This comment was moved from an existing discussion: Hikvision USA Starts Layoffs