American-owned casinos in Macau will not be adversely affected by the ongoing trade spat between the US and China, according to an analyst.

CNBC reported CLSA Gaming and Conglomerates head Jonathan Galligan saying, “I think, ultimately, the Chinese will take a very rational view on Macau… Negatively putting pressure on certain operators is not how you’re going to achieve that ultimate goal.”

Galligan, speaking at a forum in Hong Kong, pointed out how the US companies have aided in transforming Macau’s economy after it became a special administrative region of China following 400 years of Portuguese rule. In 2001, the Macau government ended billionaire Stanley Ho’s casino monopoly, later handing out concessions for operating casinos to six firms, three of which are majority-owned by American companies: Las Vegas Sands, MGM Resorts and Wynn Resorts.

It has been speculated that China will get back at the US in some way, with the renewal of the concessions to be conducted from 2020 to 2022.