Exploring a New Paradigm in U.S.-China Relations

With the U.S. elections concluded and the string of Trump cabinet appointments being announced each day, the implications and repercussions of this new administration and its anticipated policies were top of mind for many in U.S.-China interest circles.

It was timely, therefore, that the Committee of 100 (C100) hosted its first Greater China Conference in almost five years this last weekend in Shanghai.

The conference dedicated its full-day session in Shanghai to exploring a new paradigm in U.S.-China relations, one that, despite the growing bilateral tensions, can emphasize the benefits of a complex relationship for the benefit of not both countries but also the larger global community.

Following opening remarks from C100 Chairman Ambassador Gary Locke and Shanghai U.S. Consul Scott Walker, the first panel shared a post-election outlook with political insiders Scott Kennedy, Trustee Chair of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Bryan Lanza, Partner, Mercury Public Affairs, along with technology investor Gary Rieschel of Qiming Ventures and Chair of UK National Committee on China, Frank Slevin. Panelists shared that the economic challenges facing a majority of Americans were the driving force influencing voter outcomes, and that addressing the American people’s day-to-day financial challenges remained a key issue in maintaining their support. With President Trump, while anything is possible moving forward, presenting both opportunities and risks due to the his unconventional approach, and that the President-elect's desire to “make a deal” would likely be a driver behind his decision-making process when it came to some of the larger bi-lateral issues.

Education and culture, were the focus of the next two panels where leaders of prominent joint U.S.-China academic institutions discussed how global collaborations could still be achieved via educational partnerships like the Hopkins-Nanjing Center (the longest-running U.S.-China higher education collaboration), along with NYU Shanghai and Kunshan Duke programs, all which provide bridges of understanding for the younger generations. Panelists recognized the challenges faced by many joint educational programs due to COVID and the subsequent drop in American student enrolment in these programs. But they agreed these educational initiatives remained critical for keeping channels of communication open between the two countries. While the number of American students studying in China has increased threefold this last year, from its lowest point during COVID, it will required a concerted effort on both sides to reach the 50,000-student target President Xi set with President Biden last year at the Woodside, CA summit.

For the panel discussing commercial relations, we were fortunate to have some of the most knowledgeable China business experts join in the conversation, including Craig Allen, President of the U.S.-China Business Council, Ken Jarrett, Senior Advisor of ASG and former U.S. Consul General in Shanghai, and Harry Hui, Founding Partner of ClearVue Partners. In looking at the potential business policy and legislative repercussions of the new administration, Craig and Ken provided a sobering view of what’s likely to come down the road. The hawkish inclinations of the new Trump administration will ratchet up the tariff and non-tariff barriers against China, creating significant pressure on Chinese businesses. Yet at the same time, we were reminded that this is a two-way street and that the Chinese government also has tools at its disposal to respond in kind. Therefore, it is in everyone’s interest that this not turn into a lose-lose proposition. Harry Hui, investor and former corporate executive, pointed out that the value proposition of an American company’s China business is no longer just for capturing profits in the local market, but also to serve as a window to the future for multinationals to see how innovation in retail and manufacturing is likely to evolve in other markets. Due to China’s hyper-competitive environment, cutting-edge supply chain, and next-generation retail concepts there is know-how and market strategies that can be leveraged from China market experience to make these US companies more competitive on a global basis.

In the final panel of the day, C100 Member, Nora Wu moderated as session with women leaders who shared their respective personal journeys, delving into the challenges they faced as rising executives and change-makers, but also how they each brought a unique perspective to their roles, enhancing the organizations they led at the same time.

The conference itself was capped off with an evening gala opening with a fireside chat with former Singapore Ambassador to the United Nations Kishore Mahbubani, the presentation of the C100 Leadership in Diplomacy Award to US Ambassador Burns, and performances by fabled opera singer and C100 member Tian Haojiang and Julliard music protege Leyu Xu.

To learn more about C100’s ongoing work and initiatives you can participate in, please visit https://www.committee100.org/. Also be on the look out for details of our upcoming US Annual Conference being held in Los Angles in late April!