Southeast Asia: Sphere of U.S.-China Rivalry

Southeast Asia is one of the most visible places where the U.S-China rivalry plays out writ large. Each country’s relations with China vary widely, complicated by strong economic ties, domestic policies and the treatment of ethnic Chinese, territorial disputes, and divergent political systems. Multinational corporations—including U.S., Japanese, South Korean, and Chinese companies—compete for new investment opportunities in the region as part of a “China + 1” supply chain strategy and as a hedge against rising labor costs in China, U.S. export controls targeting Chinese firms, Trade War tariffs, and the need for supply chain resiliency.

Join us on March 22 for a discussion of the impact of China’s growing economic (and military) clout in Southeast Asia, the U.S.-China rivalry and supply chain diversification, and how ASEAN countries are maneuvering in this new, increasingly contested environment. Our speaker Dr. Spencer Cohen recently traveled to Southeast Asia as a fellow with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, meeting with government officials, diplomats, NGOs, business communities, and scholars, all with a lens on the U.S.-China relationship and its impact on the region. He’ll share his key findings and insights from the trip, including implications for future U.S. China policy and the Pacific Northwest. The discussion will be moderated by Sam Kaplan, Director of the Highline College Center of Excellence for Global Trade & Supply Chain Management. Mr. Kaplan has led numerous study missions to Vietnam focused on supply chain diversification in the region.

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SPEAKER

Dr. Spencer Cohen, Principal and Founder, High Peak Strategy

High Peak Strategy LLC is an international trade and economics research consulting firm based in Seattle, WA. Spencer consults and writes extensively on international trade, China’s economy, leading industries, and regional economic analysis. He has written opinion pieces in the South China Morning Post, The Daily Guardian (India), Puget Sound Business Journal, and Seattle Business Magazine. He works with ports, international trade associations, corporations, and economic development organizations across the U.S. and abroad. Prior to forming High Peak Strategy, Spencer served as senior economist with a Seattle-based economics consulting firm. He has also held policy and research roles with the State of Washington.

Spencer is a 2021-2023 Public Intellectuals Program fellow with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations. He is also an affiliate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Washington. Spencer has a PhD in geography from the University of Washington, an MA in China Studies, also from the University of Washington, and BA in mathematics and history from the University of Connecticut.

MODERATOR

Sam Kaplan, Director, the Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management, Highline College

Sam has worked with and in China and written about it for thirty plus years in a variety of business, policy and education roles. He is the author of the book Challenging China: Smart Strategies for Dealing with China under Xi Jinping Era, and also publishes the weekly newsletter International Need to Know.

Previously in 20 years at the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, Sam was engaged in promoting, connecting and educating the Greater Seattle region internationally for trade and business. As President of TDA, Sam oversaw the organization of nearly a dozen outbound business and leadership missions, helped lead the Global Cities Initiative, helped organize the successful visit of President Xi Jinping, and co-led the effort to create an International Competitive Strategy for Washington state. While president of TDA, Sam served briefly as interim president of the Washington State China Relations Council.

Sam also worked as a legislative assistant handling foreign affairs and trade issues for now retired U.S. Representative John Miller. Sam has been published in the World Bank’s Urban Age magazine, as well as in many other publications. He wrote and co-produced the short film about customer service, Please Hold, and is author of the novel, Munsrat Lives. Sam has traveled to and worked extensively with Asia and Europe during his long career in international affairs and trade.