Nike CEO, John Donahoe, affirmed both his and the company’s stance on being pro-China during a call with Wall Street analysts regarding their latest earnings report.
“Nike is a brand that is of China and for China,” he said. “And the biggest asset we have in China is the consumer equity. Consumers feel a strong, deep connection to the NIKE, Jordan, and Converse brands in China. And it’s real.”
Donahoe also spoke on how China is their cash cow as its their fastest growing market.
“We’ve always taken a long-term view. We’ve been in China for over 40 years. Phil [Knight] (the company’s co-founder) invested significant time and energy in China in the early days and today we’re the largest sports brand there,” he said.
Republican Senator, Ted Cruz, tweeted directly at Nike where he mocked their “Just Do It” slogan.
Cruz wrote, “.@Nike to the CCP: Genocide? Murder & torture? Slavery? Concentration camps? and Deliberately covering up a global pandemic? #JustDoIt”.
In a different tweet on the same subject, he wrote, “Is it any wonder that Nike actively promotes anti-American sentiments?”