US-China Trade Tensions: A Strategic Perspective with Dennis Wilder
The US-China Business Council hosted a conversation with Dennis Wilder, managing director of Georgetown University’s Initiative for US-China Dialogue on Global Issues. Mr. Wilder drew on his extensive experience assessing China, including in senior positions at the National Security Council and Central Intelligence Agency, to provide a strategic perspective on the current state of the US-China relationship. Catch the main points:
US-China 90 Day Negotiation Outcomes and Business Outlook
The US-China Business Council (USCBC) and AmCham Shanghai invite you to join a breakfast debrief on the US-China economic relations following the 90-day negotiations on March 5. This breakfast event covered the results of the US-China 90-day negotiations which were supposed to end by March 1, analysis of the outcomes, and a look at outlook for the China business environment following the negotiations. The program provided both US and China perspectives from both the policy and business angle.
- Ker Gibbs, President, AmCham Shanghai
- Jake Parker, Vice President, China Operations, US-China Business Council
- Dr. Wu Xinbo, Director, Center for American Studies, Dean of the Institute of International Studies, Fudan University
- Susan Dietz-Henderson, Chief Representative, Capital Group
- Gabriel Wildau, Shanghai Bureau Chief, Financial Times
Export Controls Reform and Implications for China Trade Compliance
The US-China Business Council hosted a roundtable discussion with export controls expert John Larkin. John is the founder of Larkin Trade International (LTI), a Beijing-based trade compliance consulting firm. Prior to founding LTI, John served as the director for export compliance for Veeco Compound Semiconductor, and as Export Control Attaché representing the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security at the US Embassy in Beijing. Before his time as a Commercial Service officer, John worked as a special agent for the US Customs Service. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
Catch a recap of John's main points below
Government Affairs Roundtable: Update on the 90-Day Trade Negotiations
The US-China Business Council (USCBC) held a government affairs roundtable on the status of the 90-day trade negotiations on Monday, February 25. Bill Reinsch, Senior Adviser and Scholl Chair in International Business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Xuan Yan, Partner at Squire Patton Boggs, discussed the expected outcomes both countries are likely to announce at the end of the 90-day period on March 1. Will both countries announce a deal, extend the talks, or the US tariffs be raised? Reinsch and Xuan offered their insights into the Trump administration’s thinking on trade negotiations with China
Bilateral Relations, the View from Shanghai: Coffee with Ken Jarrett
The US-China Business Council hosted a roundtable with Kenneth Jarrett, Senior Advisor at Albright Stonebridge Group. Mr. Jarrett’s distinguished diplomatic career included many postings in China, including as Consul General in Shanghai and as Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong. He also served as Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council. Most recently, he spent five years serving as president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. Mr. Jarrett shared his perspectives on the bilateral relationship, domestic political and economic developments in China, and the climate for US business in Shanghai today.
Predicting Chinese Policy Change: A New Approach
Because of manipulated economic data and an opaque political system, it is often difficult to predict the Chinese government's policy moves. In a new study, economists Weifeng Zhong of the American Enterprise Institute and Julian Chan of consulting firm Bates White designed a program that may help to better predict China's policy changes using an unusual data source: China's official newspaper, the People's Daily. Their algorithm has not only worked well in "forecasting" past policy changes, but also sheds new light on how China is responding to the US-China trade conflict and to China's growth slowdown.
Navigating the World of the US-China Trade War and Technology Distrust, a conversation with James McGregor
The US-China Business Council hosted a roundtable with APCO’s Greater China Chairman, James McGregor. The US and Chinese business worlds have become very deeply intertwined in the past few decades, from business education to manufacturing supply chains, venture capital investing, scientific research, and technology innovation. In many ways this has been good for both countries, but it also has created winners and losers. Today we face a new world in which political and economic differences between our two countries have come to the fore, with China seen by some as slipping back into top-down Market Leninism, and the US rejecting globalization and established trade protocols. Mr. McGregor will lead a discussion aimed at identifying ways businesses can navigate these political waters.
This event was for USCBC member companies and invited guests only.
Forecast 2019
US-China Business Council's (USCBC) premier conference on China's business and political environment in the year ahead was a fantastic resource of insights into the year ahead. This annual event featured top China policy experts, strategic analysis, and business professionals discussing key intelligence, top challenges, and opportunities coming up for China operations and bilateral relations.
View an album from the event
Experts in their fields addressed:
Cybersecurity and Commercial Best Practices –William Evanina, National Counterintelligence and Security Center in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
China’s 2019 Economic Forecast – Dr. Robert Dohner, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council
Congressional Perspectives on US-China Trade – Katherine Tai, Chief Trade Counsel, US House of Representatives, and Nasim Fussell, Chief International Trade Counsel, US Senate
US-China Relations in 2019 – Kenneth G. Lieberthal, Senior Fellow Emeritus, Brookings Institution
Operational Issues – Chris Adams, Senior Advisor, Covington & Burling LLP; Samm Sacks, Cybersecurity Policy and China Digital Economy Fellow, New America; and Peter Lichtebaum, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
The Year Ahead for US Companies in China: A Sinica Interview with Craig Allen and Tim Stratford – in conversation with Kaiser Kuo and Jeremy Goldkorn, Sinica Podcast
View an album from the event
Shanghai 2019 USCBC China Forecast
The US-China Business Council (USCBC) hosted its first Shanghai USCBC Forecast program and reception on January 24, 2019. This half day event featured a comprehensive outlook for the China business and policy environment in the year ahead, as well as developments in US-China ongoing trade negotiations. The program provided an opportunity for companies to learn more about what may be ahead with ongoing US-China tensions and the perspective is from the US side from USCBC Washington, DC leadership. The program also provided a detailed outlook on China’s economy in 2019 and insights from executives about how they are adjusting business strategies for the upcoming year.
The Shanghai USCBC Forecast ended with a reception for members to engage with USCBC's Senior Vice President Erin Ennis and other USCBC member company executives.
Update on US-China Negotiations and the Washington Perspective
Erin Ennis, Senior Vice President, US-China Business Council, will share an update on the US-China 90-day negotiations, trade policy implications of a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, and recent development of export control legislation.
China Perspective on US-China Relations
Dr. Wu Xinbo, Director, Center for American Studies, Dean of the Institute of International Studies, Fudan University
China’s Economy in 2019
Dr. Shaun Roache, Chief Economist, APAC, S&P Global will provide a detailed overview of what to expect of China’s economy in 2019 to help China executives better plan their business.
US-China Relations and China Development
Dr. Huang Renwei, Executive Vice Dean of Fudan Institute of Belt and Road & Global Governance, Former Vice President of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
Managing Risk in Heightened Tensions
Regional leadership from USCBC member companies will share best practices for how they are managing risk during heightened tensions. Discussion will range from managing supply chain to crisis communication planning.
Rebekah Lemm, General Manager Asia Pacific, Intralox
Reggie Lai, Vice President, General Manager, China, TE Connectivity
Environmental Policy and Enforcement Trends in China and the Impact on Business
Since China declared “war on pollution” in 2014, environmental regulations and enforcement have undergone rapid changes, which have created both challenges and opportunities for foreign companies. On January 24, USCBC held a discussion on the impact of China’s environmental policy and enforcement trends on business with Joanna Lewis, associate professor at Georgetown University, Tiaya Smith, director of the Climate Leadership Council’s China program; and Luo Weiwei, of counsel at Beveridge & Diamond. They shared their expertise and insights on how increased environmental enforcement in China has impacted companies, best practices for compliance, and the implications of new policies on industry.