Trade War Not Deterring Council’s China Work

The U.S.-China trade war continues to ratchet up, but it’s not deterring the Bay Area Council’s work to expand and deepen trade and investment ties with one of California’s most important economic partners. China today announced new tariffs on $75 billion of various U.S. products over the next several months in response to plans by the Trump Administration to impose tariffs on $300 billion of Chinese goods. Despite the escalating riff, the Council is continuing to work on multiple fronts to advance trade and investment opportunities at a subnational level. During the more than 10 years the Council has operated in China, we’ve opened four offices and worked to develop strong ties with local governments and business leaders to promote bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

Tomorrow, the Council is partnering with Florence Fang on the U.S.-China Relationship Summit, a day-long conference marking the 40 years since the U.S. granted full diplomatic recognition to China. In November, the Council will host the California Pavilion at the China International Import Expo, where dozens of companies that are based or operate here will showcase their goods and services to more than 400,000 Chinese buyers. Among those already signed up to participate are Tesla, Microsoft, Ford, General Motors, Deloitte and KPMG. And we just returned from a trade mission to several Chinese cities with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

The Bay Area Council Economic Institute has also developed a considerable body of research over the years on the importance of the region’s economic ties with China, and the harm that trade wars wreak. To engage in the Council’s China Initiative, please contact Chief of Global Business Development Del Christensen.