On January 22, 2025, WSCRC co-hosted a panel discussion with the Rainier Club and the University of Washington’s China Study Program and East Asia Center titled Divided Politics, Unified Challenges? U.S.-China Relations Post-Election. Held two days after the Presidential inauguration, this event offered a timely examination of the future of U.S.-China relations, considering shifts in Congress and other key policymaking positions.
The panel featured David Bachman, Professor and Associate Director at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington; Nelson Dong is an Of Counsel in the Seattle office of the Dorsey & Whitney law firm and former partner and co-heads of its National Security Law Group; Tong Zhu, Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer at the Northwest Seaport Alliance; and Kristi Heim, Founder and CEO of Lumenation.
Bachman shared his perspectives on how potential policies and actions of the new administration could shape U.S.-China relations, as well as possible response from China. Dong examined the possible evolution of U.S. export control policies under a second Trump Administration, the industries most likely to be affected, and potential counter measures from the Chinese government. Zhu reviewed the Washington China trade relationship, underscoring its importance to Washington state’s economic growth. China is Washington state’s 2nd largest trading partner, and the 3rd largest export market for Washington agricultural products, and exports to China over 27,000 jobs in the state (2022). Panelists also discussed how the ongoing U.S. China trade war has affected Washington state’s economy and workforce, as well as the broader impacts on international higher education, including declining Chinese student enrollment at the University of Washington.