Forecast 2021

Mark your calendar for the US-China Business Council’s (USCBC) premier conference on China's business and political environment in the year ahead. Presented virtually over two days, this annual event will feature top China policy experts, strategic analysis, and business professionals to discuss key intelligence, top challenges and opportunities coming up for China operations and bilateral relations.

Program:

Day 1

February 3, 2021: 8:30am - 11:40am EST

Forecasting China- Economics, Trade, and Investment

Two speakers will share their perspectives on what to expect in China’s economy in 2021, as well as how US-China bilateral trade and investment dynamics may shift under a new administration.

• Mary Lovely, Professor of Economics, Syracuse University; Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics
• Stephanie Segal, Senior Fellow, Economics Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies
• Moderator: Jake Parker, Senior Vice President, US-China Business Council

Technology and Cross-border Controls

Amidst geopolitical tensions and rapidly changing technologies, the space for high-tech companies to be successful in both the United States and China is becoming increasingly strained. Speakers will discuss US export controls and investment restrictions, Chinese cybersecurity and data policies, and how security concerns impact technology policy.

• Peter Lichtenbaum, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
• Denise Zheng, Vice President, Technology, Innovation, Business Roundtable
• Antonio Douglas, Manager, Business Advisory Services, US-China Business Council
• Moderator: Jack Kamensky, Director, Business Advisory Services, US-China Business Council

Keynote Address - The Future of the US China Policy Under the Biden Administration

• Daniel Russel, Vice President, International Security and Diplomacy, Asia Society Policy Institute​
• Moderator: Craig Allen, President, US-China Business Council

Day 2

February 4, 2021: 8:30am - 11:40am EST

Mitigating Operating Challenges under Current US-China Relations

Speakers will discuss how companies mitigate operating challenges under the currently tense US-China relationship. Topics will span issues including American reliability concerns by Chinese customers and JV partners, issues with government procurement tenders, influencing standards setting and industrial policy, and how policy changes impact company outlooks. 

• Matt Margulies, Vice President, China Operations, US-China Business Council
• Bill He, General Manager, Public Services, Greater China, SAS
• Thomas Shao, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Abbott China
• Moderator: Jack Kamensky, Director, Business Advisory Services, US-China Business Council

The View from Capitol Hill

As the 117th Congress gets underway, China-related considerations will be on the agenda for many committees in both Chambers. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is likely to play a particularly significant role in articulating US-China policy for the 21st century. Separate, sweeping strategic recommendations spearheaded by the committee's Democrat and Republican members reveal bipartisan concerns. Top Republican and Democratic staffers, Lara Crouch and Michael Schiffer, will discuss the committee's China priorities.

• Michael Schiffer, Senior Adviser/Counsel, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
• Lara Crouch, Professional Staff Member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
• Moderator: Anna Ashton, Vice President, Government Relations, US-China Business Council

Keynote Address- China’s Perspective on Bilateral Relations Under the Biden Administration

• Minister Li Kexin, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the United States
• Moderator: Craig Allen, President, US-China Business Council