With heightened tensions between the US and China, and uncertainty in the political and regulatory environment, US companies are facing new risks. What are the challenges that companies are already facing because of heightened tensions? What should companies be doing to plan and reduce risk? And to what extent should companies be engaging government stakeholders?

The US-China Business Council was pleased to host a breakfast briefing with Helen Yang, Vice President of Hill+Knowlton Strategies China, who discussed case studies of how companies have been impacted by rising US-China tensions and strategies for proactively planning and engaging with government to reduce risk.

Helen Yang helps provide key counselling, and helps devise communications strategies to clients in industries covering retail, energy & manufacturing, hospitality, hi-tech, healthcare and consumer goods. She has 25 years experience working with global 500 companies and industry-leading organizations in China on corporate communications, crisis management, CSR, government affairs and training.

Helen also serves at the Tsinghua Environmental Innovation Institute as the Head of Crisis Management, and served for the National Development Reform Commission as an advisor for its "One-Belt, One-Road" Promotion Center. 

Following changes to China's lists regulating market access, the US-China Business Council (USCBC) was pleased to host a roundtable with the Shanghai Commerce Commission (SCC), Shanghai Development & Reform Commission (SDRC), Shanghai Financial Office, and Shanghai Free Trade Zone Administration to discuss the two revised negative lists for foreign investment, as well as Shanghai’s recent 100 Measures promoting further market openings. SCC Deputy Director-general Mr. Yang Chao, who is in charge of foreign investment management in Shanghai, delivered opening remarks at the event.

This also provided an opportunity for open discussion with relevant officials to learn about new policy developments and how companies can prepare themselves operationally. 

Rising US-China tensions and growing concerns about the export of high-tech goods are prompting both the US and China to change how they regulate the export of many kinds of products. More than ever, multinationals face increasing challenges clearing bureaucratic and political hurdles bringing their goods to market. 

To help companies navigate this increasingly challenging environment, the US-China Business Council held an afternoon briefing on Monday, July 23 with Eric Carlson. Mr. Carlson is a partner at USCBC member law firm Covington & Burling, and is a leading authority on China-related export controls and FCPA-related concerns. Mr. Carlson is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese, and represents clients across a range of industries.

With tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese exports coming into effect on July 6 and tariffs on $200 billion dollars of Chinese exports on the horizon, businesses are looking for ways to mitigate the impact of government action on their supply chains. 

To help companies navigate the looming threats, the US-China Business Council held an afternoon briefing with USCBC member KPMG on Tuesday, July 3. The event featured presentations from KPMG China's Head of Procurement Advisory Michael Seitz and Head of Tax Anthony Chau. The presentation was followed by Q&A and a discussion with USCBC members.