50 States, 50 Stories

The relationship between the world two largest economies can sometimes feel divorced from everyday life, but the US-China relationship has a real, tangible impact on millions of Americans every day. The two countries' trading relationship supports US jobs, as US companies export billions in goods and services to China every year. Underneath the topline data of how much the United States as a whole exports to China are a trove of stories of the individuals whose lives depend on the relationship. From folks who work for Fortune 500 companies to small companies that specialize in things like paint or caskets, about more than a million US jobs are dependent on US-China trade. To dig into the more granular level, click on a state below to see what that area exports most to China and how many jobs are supported by those exports:

USCBC is actively working to highlight more voices from state and local stakeholders on the value of trade and economic engagement with China. If you are interested in collaborating with us on 50 States, 50 Stories, please contact USCBC Director of Subnational Initiatives Elizabeth Rowland.

Are you a small- or a medium-sized business interested in joining the US-China Business Council? Learn more about the benefits of membership or join USCBC here

03/09/2023

By Doug Barry

There may be bipartisan dismay with China in the nation's capital and distrust nearly everywhere else. Still, leaders of a school in Manhattan believe that cooperation between the world’s largest economies is inevitable and necessary.

One such leader is Morgan Jones, senior associate director of enrollment at Avenues The World School, a private institution for K-12 students. Avenues is located on Tenth Avenue but is a metaphor for going places, enabled by language immersion...

02/23/2023

By Doug Barry

The Greater Cleveland Chinese Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) serves as a bridge between mainland Chinese who want to invest in the United States and Americans looking for business opportunities in China. The Trump-era trade war and the spread of COVID-19 brought big challenges to the organization. But the Chamber has become more important than ever in these strong headwinds, as it helps both sides learn more about each other. 

...
01/25/2023

By Doug Barry

The United States produces only 20 percent of the seafood that Americans eat. That’s a need that requires filling by someone who’s good at finding fish worldwide. Meet Matthew Fass, president of Maritime Products International of Newport News, Virginia.

The Fass family seems to have seafood in their blood. Matt is the fourth generation of his family in the seafood industry, starting with his great grandfather, who was an oysterman in Portsmouth, Virginia. The family business...

07/22/2022
By Doug Barry Furniture manufacturing in North Carolina took off after the Civil War, fueled by access to local hardwoods,...
07/08/2022
By Doug Barry The principles of project management are remarkably similar across the world, with some minor cultural...
06/24/2022
By Doug Barry China seemed like a national afterthought in the mid-1980s. America was the dominant world superpower and Japan...
06/09/2022
By Doug Barry Like many entrepreneurs, Dr. Penelope Prime saw a need and filled it. She observed in the 1980s that Atlanta didn...
06/08/2022
By Doug Barry “If you have a business plan in the United States and China is not part of that plan, then you don’t have a...
05/17/2022
By Doug Barry Many people never tire of hearing stories about small businesses succeeding in an increasingly consolidated...
05/10/2022
By Doug Barry In China's business and community circles, William D. Frazier is a visionary with a purpose in Shanghai. He’s a...
05/05/2022
By Doug Barry US and other brands want an online presence in China. They’ve heard about “netizens,” the army-sized community of...
05/02/2022
By Doug Barry At Houston rodeo, Jacob Cluver leaves a dusty cattle pen to take a reporter’s phone call. Cluver explains he is...
04/29/2022
By Doug Barry Derrick Porter has a knack for looking at situations and seeing opportunities. Twenty years ago, he marveled at...
04/12/2022
By Doug Barry The first dollop of Bassetts Ice Cream was served in Salem, New Jersey during the first year of the Civil War....
04/11/2022
By Doug Barry As we hear more stories about Americans doing business in China, one common element is the number of people who...
03/31/2022
By Doug Barry Jim Wu arrived in Houston from China not long after the 9/11 terror attacks. He was a stranger in a strange land...
03/22/2022
By Doug Barry How do you clean a printed circuit card or semiconductor? Hint: It’s not with a simple green liquid and it doesn’...
03/04/2022
By Doug Barry $250. Mitch Thomson’s dad bet him that sum for every semester he took and passed Chinese language in high school...
02/24/2022
By Doug Barry Many state governments participate in trade with China by providing technical assistance to smaller companies and...
02/15/2022
By Doug Barry Su Ye is a numbers person. As chief economist for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, she keeps track of...
02/07/2022
By Doug Barry   Successful business with China often takes a village, especially if you own a small or midsize company. If you...
01/31/2022
Jeff Ji, president of U-Combination Technology, an IT service provider, is an entrepreneurial dynamo who wakes up most mornings...
01/18/2022
Public universities are often a bellwether for the state of the US-China relationship. When times are good, universities see...

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