Thought Leadership
The Japan-US “Mini-Deal” has Big Implications
August 13, 2019
Written by: Stephen Olson, Hinrich Foundation Research Fellow This article was originally published in The Diplomat. As the US and Read more.
US-China Trade War Moves to the Trenches
August 6, 2019
Written by: Kenneth Jarrett, Senior Advisor, Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG) and former President of American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai When Presidents Trump and Read more.
A Quick Take on the Latest Round of US Tariffs
August 2, 2019
Written by Stephen Olson Stephen Olson asks three questions in the aftermath of the surprise US tariff announcement. In the Read more.
France’s Digital Tariff – Disguised as a Tax – is Flawed
July 30, 2019
Written by Stephen Olson France’s digital tax targets US tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Facebook, but will hurt consumers, Read more.
Why Hong Kong’s Autonomy is Important for Trade
July 22, 2019
Written by Holly Smith If Hong Kong’s autonomy comes under threat, how can and should the international community, particularly the Read more.
Is the Euro the Biggest Threat to the Global Trading System?
July 16, 2019
The European Union (EU) is positioning itself as a champion of the multilateral trading system, yet the single European currency Read more.
Three China-US experts assess what happens next after Osaka
July 11, 2019
The Osaka G20 announcement that the US and China would resume trade talks led to an audible sigh of relief Read more.
Trump and Xi Hit the “Restart Button”: What’s Next?
July 2, 2019
Originally published in South China Morning Post. With US and Chinese negotiators heading back to the negotiating table, Stephen Olson Read more.
Rare Earths: The Threat of Embargo and the Clash of Systems
June 18, 2019
Would China’s rumoured embargo on rare earth exports be an effective weapon in the trade war? The divergent fortunes of Read more.
Automotive Tariff Decision Delayed but Not Defused
June 10, 2019
Originally published in the South China Morning Post. The imposition of automotive tariffs is still possible, and could spark a global Read more.
Quick Take: What if Trump Uses Tariffs to Force Immigration Changes?
June 6, 2019
President Trump’s shocking May 30 threat to impose tariffs on all Mexican imports over its supposed inaction on illegal immigration Read more.
Quick Take: Has Unsustainable Trade Influenced European Elections?
May 29, 2019
The results of the 2019 European Parliament elections illustrate the need for more sustainable trade that delivers a more equitable Read more.
Are Quotas Worse Than Tariffs?
May 23, 2019
With all the focus on tariffs these days, it is easy to overlook the return of another protectionist tool: quotas. Read more.
Trade System Threatened by Erosion of Trust
May 16, 2019
Originally published in East Asia Forum. The global trade system is under greater stress than at any other time since Read more.
US-China Trade Impasse: A Quick Take
May 14, 2019
With Chinese Vice Premier Liu He scheduled to arrive in Washington late last week, hopes and expectations were rising that Read more.
Blunt Force Tariffs Backfire on Business and Farmers
May 8, 2019
With President Trump threatening additional tariffs, the tit-for-tat tariffs already in place are complicating business decisions and causing long-term damage Read more.
Poor Enforcement and Low Utilization Undermine Benefits from Trade Agreements
April 12, 2019
Trade liberalizing agreements, whether they are pursued on a multilateral, regional, or bilateral basis, are seen as the principle means Read more.
Trade System Dysfunction Reflects Collective Failure
April 1, 2019
China has exercised its sovereign right to chart its own economic development path, opting for a system of state-directed capitalism and Read more.
Six China experts assess what NPC outcomes mean for global trade
March 21, 2019
Just under 3,000 of the most powerful officials in China recently gathered in Beijing for the country’s biggest political meeting Read more.
China’s Trade Practices Spawn Tough Questions But No Easy Solutions
February 18, 2019
Originally published in The Diplomat. Three recent reports help illuminate the complexity of the problems currently facing the global trade Read more.
No Short-Term China Deal Can Address the Systemic Issues
February 15, 2019
Originally published in The Hill. With the wind-down of the Beijing trade talks, we can anticipate a spate of potential announcements: Read more.
Trade Turmoil Likely to Continue into 2019
January 29, 2019
Only one month into 2019, and it has already become evident that the head-spinning pace of developments in international trade Read more.
China’s WTO accession, the financial crisis and lessons for the future
January 16, 2019
Western policymakers and multinational corporations encouraged China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 as a way to Read more.
A Quick Take on US-China Trade Talks
January 10, 2019
The announcement that trade talks this week in Beijing between the US and China had been extended by a day Read more.
Assessing the Way Forward After Argentina
December 7, 2018
With the dust starting to settle after the meeting between President Trump and President Xi in Argentina, a few things Read more.
Trump-Xi Meeting: Five Potential Paths Forward for the US and China
November 27, 2018
The meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping in Argentina in late November may prove to be a Read more.
Vietnam’s Winning Approach to Sustainable Trade
November 26, 2018
In order to be sustainable, trade cannot simply be about pursuing breakneck economic growth at the expense of social cohesion Read more.
Trade, People, and Money: Understanding China’s Unique Capabilities
October 25, 2018
Originally published in The American Prospect. The Trump administration is forcefully pressing its case on a variety of Chinese trade Read more.
California hit with double whammy in global trade war
October 15, 2018
The US administration may be engaged in a trade war aimed at foreign trading partners, but for Californian manufacturers and Read more.
A Quick Take on the New NAFTA
October 3, 2018
The revised NAFTA agreement (now called the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement) is a combination of what could be characterized as common sense Read more.
How the Philippines can use sustainability to attract FDI
September 11, 2018
The ongoing trade war between the United States and China gives Southeast Asian countries greater opportunities to attract more foreign Read more.
Time for Leadership in Trade – Not Victimhood
August 7, 2018
The turmoil in today’s global trade system – spawned by perceived unfair trade practices that have led to unilateral US Read more.
Don’t Just Blame Trump or China for this Trade War
July 9, 2018
Originally published in the South China Morning Post. Headline writers and Twitter lit up this week on news that the Read more.
Needed: A Rational Debate on the New US Trade Philosophy
June 24, 2018
The current US Administration has been accused of incoherence in its trade policy. In reality, a very clear philosophy is Read more.
Understanding US Tariff Actions: What Do They Mean for the Global Trade System?
May 30, 2018
Originally published in the Diplomat The US Administration has announced yet another investigation which could result in tariffs – this Read more.
Trade Talks Leave Real Issue Untouched
May 22, 2018
Most of the headlines coming out of the recent round of negotiations between the US and China in WashingtonDC proclaimed Read more.
Trade Architecture Needs to Accommodate Both US and Chinese Systems
May 11, 2018
How should we interpret the two days of discussions in Beijing between US and Chinese trade officials? The US delegation Read more.
Trade: The Big Picture
March 29, 2018
Originally published by The American Prospect. In the wake of the announcement on steel and aluminum tariffs, and complaints against Read more.
The problem with U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum that no one is talking about
March 5, 2018
Originally published in Forbes. The preliminary U.S. decision to apply 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% tariffs on aluminum Read more.
Samsung’s contribution to China through FDI
November 17, 2017
Samsung has been one of the largest foreign investors in China and has built a China structure that rivals that Read more.
Export-led growth on the wane in East Asia
November 10, 2017
Originally published in The Diplomat. Export-led development strategies have played a central role in generating economic growth throughout the Asia-Pacific Read more.
P&G’s 30-year contribution to China through FDI
October 5, 2017
Procter & Gamble’s (P&G’s) story in China shows how comprehensive a major company’s impact can be on a foreign host Read more.
Maersk’s contribution to China through FDI
September 21, 2017
Maersk’s involvement in China stands out for its impact on improving connectivity within China through its logistics arm, and between Read more.
Hong Kong Pioneers’ contribution to China through FDI
September 13, 2017
Hong Kong companies have been pioneers in many if not most aspects of China’s economic opening. Hong Kong companies have Read more.
Adding value to the Cambodian economy every 374.41 seconds
August 10, 2017
Originally published in TradeVistas. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is usually measured by the size of the capital investment and number Read more.
What has China meant to the bottom-line of US companies?
July 20, 2017
Note: This article is drawn from a Hinrich Foundation White Paper entitled “A Profitable Partnership Under Stress: Why it makes Read more.
The Impact of U.S. Foreign investment and U.S. Companies on China’s Economy
July 5, 2017
China’s economic reforms have created the world’s most dynamic economy. A major part of China’s economic development has involved foreign Read more.
R&D in China supporting US companies
July 4, 2017
Note: This article is drawn from a Hinrich Foundation White Paper entitled “A Profitable Partnership Under Stress: Why it makes Read more.
China’s large market increasingly important for US companies
June 27, 2017
Note: This article is drawn from a Hinrich Foundation White Paper entitled “A Profitable Partnership Under Stress: Why it makes Read more.
A Profitable Partnership Under Stress: Why it makes sense to ratchet-down US-China trade tensions
June 27, 2017
This white paper is based on an extended research effort undertaken by the Hinrich Foundation, which included interviews with scores Read more.
Trade policy under the Trump administration
June 7, 2017
Originally published by the China Development Institute (CDI). There are four main issues regarding trade policy and the Trump administration Read more.
Evaluating 100 days of Trump trade policy
May 10, 2017
Originally published in The Diplomat. With the Trump presidency just past the 100 day mark, how should we interpret the Read more.
Renegotiating NAFTA doesn’t signal the start of a trade war
March 2, 2017
Originally published in the Globe and Mail. U.S. President Donald Trump has certainly used “colourful” rhetoric to outline his views Read more.
US-China watchers should keep their eye on semiconductors
February 21, 2017
An abbreviated version of this article was first published in East Asia Forum. China’s ambitions for its semiconductor industry Read more.
The letter Donald Trump should write to Xi Jinping
January 12, 2017
It is not surprising that Chinese President Xi Jinping was one of the first foreign leaders that President-elect Trump spoke Read more.
Michael Jordan scores in China
January 9, 2017
Published in TradeVistas. Michael Jordan’s exploits on the basketball court were legendary, but the former hoops star seems to be Read more.
The death of TPP: What does it really mean?
December 21, 2016
Published in TradeVistas Any lingering hope for passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), at least in its current form, was Read more.
Trump and trade
November 11, 2016
As the world continues to digest the surprising election of Donald Trump, questions over the path forward in international trade Read more.
Attracting and managing FDI: What can we learn from China?
September 20, 2016
What do countries need to do in order to create a policy framework that is conducive to foreign direct investment? Read more.
From fishing village to global metropolis: FDI and the transformation of Shenzhen
September 6, 2016
Spend some time in the southern Chinese coastal city of Shenzhen, and you’ll find a cosmopolitan, wealthy and technologically advanced Read more.
To understand the full Impact of FDI, look past the headlines
August 22, 2016
Scan the pages of any business publication and you’ll find example after example of eye-popping foreign direct investments (FDI) taking Read more.
The case for sustainable trade
June 21, 2016
It is well understood that trade has been a remarkable engine of economic growth and development, lifting hundreds of millions Read more.
Straight talk on trade
April 25, 2016
Published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Candidates competing for both the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations have been ratcheting Read more.
Support for free trade slipping in the U.S.
April 13, 2016
A recent Bloomberg Politics national poll in the United States shows a surprisingly strong tide of opposition to free trade. Read more.
Here’s why you should care about Rob Portman…
March 17, 2016
To any seasoned trade professional, a recent announcement from Washington DC came as both a surprise — and a cause Read more.
Are China and the EU on a collision course?
March 8, 2016
Published in East Asia Forum. The future of the EU–China trade relationship — one of the largest in the world Read more.
Foreign business committed to China, but concerns are growing
February 2, 2016
The American Chamber of Commerce in China recently issued its 2016 Business Climate Survey, and as usual, it has some Read more.
The TPP and the sputtering global trade system
January 28, 2016
Published in The Diplomat Can agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership fortify a troubled international trade system? With the death-knell of the Read more.
Time for the U.S. to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
November 9, 2015
Originally published in The Diplomat. With the AIIB set to commence operations by year-end, U.S. President Barack Obama – and Read more.
The U.S. and China must avoid ‘competing camps’ mentality
November 3, 2015
Published in The China Post. As you listen to the unfolding discussion on the TransPacific Partnership, do not be surprised Read more.
Keeping China’s recent stumbles in perspective
September 30, 2015
Despite President Xi Jinping’s cheery pronouncements on China’s economic health during his recent U.S. visit, doubts remain. In fact, those Read more.
Hypocrisy mars RMB devaluation debate
September 10, 2015
Published in East Asia Forum. The verdict on China’s recent currency devaluations differs depending on who you listen to. To some, Read more.
Inward FDI still mutually beneficial in China
May 12, 2015
Published in East Asia Forum. More so than any other developing country, China has benefited profoundly from foreign direct investment Read more.