WSCRC

Washington State China Relations Council

Paul Triolo Talks about Semiconductors and its Important Role in U.S.-China Relations

On September 26, Paul Triolo, Senior Vice President for China and Technology Policy Lead at Albright Stonebridge Group discussed the contentious role that semiconductors play in the U.S.- China Relationship and global geopolitical landscape. A recognized expert in global technology, Paul provided a comprehensive and yet in-depth anyalsyis of the issue, inclulding the status and major players of the global semiconductor industry, the potential impacts of the recently passed CHIPS Act on U.S. semiconductor production and national security concerned related to China, and the outsized role that Taiwan plays in the global industry and the ramifications of any disruption of the Taiwanese semiconductor on global supply chains. Paul also examined the growth of the Chinese semiconductor industry and assess its role in the global landscape.

Click below to watch the webinar recording.

The Hon. Kevin Rudd Speaks to WSCRC Members and Friends about His New Book “The Avoidable War”

On July 26, the Hon. Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia and President and CEO of the Asia Society, received a very warm welcome in Seattle at a book talk event for his new book “The Avoidable War: the Dangers of a Catastrophic Conflict between the US and Xi Jinping’s China.” This event was co-sponsored by the Washington State China Relations Council, the China Studies Program and the East Asia Center at the University of Washington, and the World Affairs Council of Seattle.

After briefly reviewing the history and the current status of the U.S.-China relationship, the Hon. Rudd explained “ten concentric circles of interest,” which he believes critical to understanding Xi’s worldview and long-term strategy towards the U.S. Among the ten circles which were developed by PM Rudd as he prepared this book, the politics of staying in power, national unity, and ensuring economic prosperity are among Xi’s top priorities. To improve a relationship that has been damaged by mistrust and misperceptions, Mr. Rudd suggested a “managed strategic competition” framework to prevent further attrition of the relationship and a possible catastrophic war. Mr. Rudd also addressed issues related to China’s economic model, Taiwan, and how the two countries can work together to combat pandemics like Covid.

We’d like to thank Nelson Dong, Partner at Dorsey & Whitney and a board member of the WSCRC, for moderating the discussion and providing the event venue.

The First SuperApp: Inside China’s WeChat and the New Digital Revolution

The author of The First SuperApp: Inside China’s WeChat and the New Digital Revolution (“SuperApp”), Kevin Shimota, spoke to an WSCRC/WSCRF audience on July 13 to provide background and an explanation of many of the key premises of his new book about the Chinese app “WeChat.” “SuperApp” was released to the public on July 5th and our session was Kevin’s first official book talk since the launch of the book.

In the session, Kevin, a Bellingham native, traced his journey from UW to his role as International Market Development Manager for the Tencent app WeChat. Kevin regaled us with the history of how the app grew from a simple communication tool to what is undoubtedly among the most used apps in the world today—a veritable “SuperApp.” In addition, Kevin talked about the attributes that he would assign to a “superapp” and discussed why so many companies are trying to create such a product.

The book talk can be viewed on the WSCRC YouTube channel.

WSCRC Publishes June WA-China Quarterly Report

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. 

WSCRC Director Quoted in Seattle Times Article on Trade

WSCRC’s Executive Director, Norwell Coquillard, was quoted in the Seattle Times on May 27th in an editorial titled “U.S. influence in Asia, benefits at home, depend on Pacific trade pact.” In the article the editors of the Seattle Times applaud President Biden’s recent announcement of a new economic bloc meant to counter China’s growing economic presence around the world. However, the writers note that the agreement of newly heralded association of nations is short on details. The Seattle Times posits that the administration should strive to return to the previously negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as the way forward for U.S. trade in the Pacific. Although the authors credit President Trump with taking a more aggressive stance vis a vis China, they argue that his unilateral tariffs have not improved the U.S.’s trading position in the Pacific.

The Seattle Times quotes WSCRC’s Executive Director as noting that “China’s tariffs have gone down for people like the E.U., Australia and Japan. They have down over the past four or five years, while the U.S. ones have gone up into the 20% range,” Mr. Coquillard went on to say when it comes to the tariffs the U.S. is “shooting itself in the foot.”

The article concludes with a plea for the administration to return to the TPP framework and build the political will at home to enact trade agreements to strengthen the U.S.’s economic influence and fair competition in the Pacific region.

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