In October 2025, Washington state leaders from business, government, academia, and civil society convened at Washington State China Relations Council’s U.S.-China Symposium to assess the implications of U.S.-China relations for Washington’s economy and global engagement. Participants highlighted how national policy decisions have imposed real economic costs on the state while often falling short of their strategic goals. Speakers emphasized Washington’s exposure as a globally integrated economy—anchored in ports and logistics, aerospace, agriculture, technology, and research universities—and underscored the value of subnational engagement, pragmatic diplomacy, and policies that prioritize resilience, innovation, and openness over exclusion.

WSCRC, in partnership with the Quincy Institute, produced a summary report capturing the symposium’s key insights and recommendations.

Key policy recommendations include:

• Encourage more balanced rhetoric.
• Encourage constructive engagement through sub-national exchanges.
• Invest in American competitiveness in infrastructure, innovation, and scientific openness.
• Lower or remove tariffs.
• Include more stakeholders in U.S.-China policy formation.
• Encourage joint ventures and open investment with China as an alternative to mutual protectionism.
• Expand supply chain resilience and diversification.

WSCRC sincerely appreciates Quincy Institute’s partnership in supporting the symposium and the development of this report.

View and download the full report here. 

In the past quarter, the tensions between U.S. and China shows no sign of easing, especially after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit. Despite the harsh environment, the Council—in cooperation with its educational arm, the Washington State China Relations Fund—continues to produce programs in an effort to present a more nuanced picture of the U.S.-China relationship. In this report, we analyzed some of the big news in the U.S.-China relationship since in the last three months. We also provided an update on the WA-China trade interactions, including the China International Import Expo and Boeing’s strategy with the Chinese market.

Read the full report here. 

In the past quarter several critical issues dominated U.S.-China relations, including the onset of the war in Ukraine and China’s support of Russia’s actions, the spread of Omicron in China and its effects on the citizens of locked down cities, the Chinese economic slowdown, and continued tensions over Taiwan.
Although good news about the U.S.-China relationship is hard to find these days, the US-China Business Council’s recent US Exports Report showed that U.S. goods exports to China were up 21% in 2021 over 2020.

The Council—in cooperation with its educational arm, the Washington State China Relations Fund—continues to produce webinars in an effort to present a more nuanced picture of the U.S.-China relationship. Events in the last three months included U.S.-China health collaboration, a conversation with Rep. Adam Smith, supply chain issues impacting the PNW, China’s role in Ukraine crisis, China’s business environment for U.S. small and medium enterprises, Shanghai under lockdown, PNW exports to China, and China’s digital ambitions.Programs currently being scheduled will dive into the following topics:

• The Opening of Shanghai after Lockdown
• Inside Stories of WeChat – the SuperAPP

Read the full report here. 

On February 1, 2022, the WSCRC publishes its 2nd Washington State – China Quarterly report. We started this project in October 2021 to provide industry leaders, government officials, and their staff timely and important information and analysis about key developments in U.S.-China relations, with a focus on those stories most relevant to Washington state. We also include an updated summary of notable China engagements and activities among our local businesses and organizations.

As we kick off 2022, tension continues to define the geopolitical relationship between the U.S. and China. A certain stasis has developed since President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a virtual summit at the end of November. Fortunately, there have been no major incidents to further worsen the relationship, but also no major diplomatic breakthroughs either. The 2022 Winter Olympics, once heralded as another stage for China to showcase its economic achievements, has been hindered by the emergence of Delta and Omicron variants of the Covid-19 virus.

Although the media often focuses on points of conflict between the U.S and China, business representatives who participated in a China Business Conference co-hosted by the Council and the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai in December, noted the success of their companies in the PRC, even during the pandemic. The business leaders were upbeat about their China prospects, and many planned to increase their investments in the country.

The Council—in cooperation with its educational arm, the Washington State China Relations Fund—continues to produce webinars in an effort to present a more nuanced picture of the U.S.-China relationship. Details of the event are provided at the end of the report.

Click here to read the full report.