October 14, 2025, WSCRC’s inaugural U.S.-China Symposium was a full house — and full of energy, ideas, and honest and forward-thinking conversations about the evolving U.S.–China relations. From discussions on the outlook of U.S.-China relationship to trade and technology to subnational engagement and people-to-people ties. Speakers shared examples of how the current, frayed relationship has impacted their operations, and recommended practical solutions in this challenging environment that would put the relationship on a smarter path and help avoid a disastrous conflict. The day reaffirmed Washington State’s unique role as a bridge for exchange, innovation, and understanding. WSCRC is proud to keep that spirit alive and strong.

A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers for sharing their insights, expertise, and candor, and to our sponsors, members, and partners for their incredible support in making this event possible. Special thanks to our generous sponsors: the Quincy Institute, K&L Gates, Microsoft, the Northwest Seaport Alliance, Port of Seattle, Weisbrod Matteis and Copley, Century Law, and Greater Pacific Industries.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and to be part of this growing community driving meaningful U.S.–China engagement from the Pacific Northwest.

Photos 1-4 Credit: Terry@Seattle Chinese Radio Station

View video recordings from the Symposium below.

Keynote Remarks by Sean Stein, President of U.S. China Business Council

Panel 1: Global Powers in Motion: Decoding U.S.-China Dynamics

• James McGregor, Chairman, APCO’s Greater China
• Jackie Miller, President & CEO, World Affairs Council Seattle
• Victor Shih, Director, 21st Century China Center; Professor and Ho Miu Lam Chair in China and Pacific Relations, UC San Diego
• Jake Werner, Director of East Asia Program, Quincy Institute

Panel 2: Trade, Tariffs, and Washington’s Economic Landscape

• Edward Alden, Visiting Professor, WWU; Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
• Kristin Ang, Commissioner, Port of Tacoma; Managing Member, Northwest Seaport Alliance
• John Bruns, former VP for Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes; former President of Boeing China
• Riley Bushue, Vice President, Northwest Horticultural Council
• Julia Ying, President, Polar Bay Foods

Panel 3: Innovation, Competition, and Collaboration in Technology

• Alvin Wang Graylin, Fellow/Lecturer, Stanford HAI/MIT; Author, “Our Next Reality”; Chairman, Virtual World Society; Former China President, HTC
• John VerWey, Advisor for the Global Security, Technology and Policy Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
• Mike Yeh, Regional Vice President, Corporate External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Asia
• Wenchi Yu, Non-resident fellow, Harvard Kennedy School; Host and Co-Producer, DC Insiders: Producer, Perspectives with Wenchi Yu

On September 11, 2025,  WSCRC hosted a panel discussion on Sustaining Washington Agriculture in a Shifting Trade Landscape, featuring Rianne Ham, Manager of International Marketing Program at the Washington State Department of Agriculture; John Melin, President and CEO of Brown & Haley; Mark Powers, President of the Northwest Horticultural Council; and Lawrence Ward, Chair of Dorsey & Whitney LLP’s National Security Law Group and head of the firm’s Seattle office.

The panelist examined the impacts of trade and tariffs on Washington state’s agriculture, and discussed issues such as how they are managing risks in an increasingly uncertain trade and business environment, and technological and operational innovations to navigate trade challenges. Melin shared first-hand examples of how the uncertainty and unpredictable tariff polices have affected their business. Ham and Marks also shared ways in which the government and trade associations could better support businesses navigate trade uncertainties.

On April 24, 2025, WSCRC, in partnership with the National Committee on U.S. China Relations, the World Affairs Council Seattle and the University of Washington’s East Asia Center and China Studies Program, hosted a two-part program examining the Trump administration’s China policy 100 days in.

The first part featured a national webcast hosted by the National Committee on U.S. China relations, with speakers Ryan Hass, Director of John L. Thorton China Center at the Brookings Institution, Matthew Turpin, Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and Lingling Wei, Chief China Correspondent at The Wall Street Journal.

Following the national webcast, a local panel discussion brought together Spencer Cohen, Principal and Founder of High Peak Strategy; John VerWey, advisor in the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Global Security, Technology and Policy group; and Dori Jones Yang (moderator), award-winning author, journalist, and speaker.

The panel provided in-depth discussion on key U.S.-China policy developments and their implications for Washington state, highlighting both shifts from the prior administration and areas of continuity. Cohen discussed the potential lasting impacts might the current trade war have on U.S.-China relations and global supply chain, particularly for Washington state businesses, ports, and higher education. VerWey examined the intersection of technology and national security, with a focus on technology protection efforts such as export controls, investment screening, research security, and supply chain security. The discussion concluded with consideration of alternative and more effective strategies for addressing many of the issues in the current U.S.-China economic relationship.

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.