Page 4 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
P. 4
ITOR'S NOTE We are happy to welcome our new Guangzhou Consul Jim Levy back
to our shores. Jim was a grad student in Guangzhou a few years back.
Dr. Harley Seyedin Much has changed since then. He is now an experienced diplomat and has
President served his country proudly. You can read more about Jim in this issue, but
AmCham South China we want him to know that all of us at the American Chamber of Commerce
in South China and our over 2,300 members wish him the best of success.
I also know Jim Levy is a sports fan and he has arrived just in time for
AmCham South China Youth Soccer league. The league kicks off on Oct 13.
It seems diplomacy is much like soccer these days. Basically, the game is all
about two teams trying to kick the ball down the field in opposite directions
to make a goal. Unlike the game, however, diplomacy works best when the
two sides work together to achieve common objectives.
The ongoing tit-for-tat trade conflict between China and the US has
continued to intensify recently, so much so that the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based think-
tank, has warned that the world's economy can't keep growing if things
don't improve on the trade front. While about 5,000 Chinese products from
household goods were targeted, many US businesses are expected to suffer
as well. What we should be focused on is mutually beneficial free and open
market policies. There remains much to be decided in that area.
The strength of the US and Chinese economies is inextricably linked to
trade and foreign investment, and both countries stand to gain significantly
from cooperation. While the previous rounds of tariffs have had a negative
impact on the business community in China, the additional $200 billion
tariffs levied by the US government on more than 5,000 items will further
intensify the trade friction between the two countries and bring far-
reaching consequences to American consumers, US companies in China,
and Chinese companies with operation in the US. AmCham South China
urges Washington and Beijing to deal with trade issues through continuous
dialogue and negotiation, and encourages both sides to return to the
negotiation table and seek alternative mutually beneficial solutions.
Unlike soccer, no one wins in US-China diplomacy if we continue to keep
kicking the balls in opposite directions.
to our shores. Jim was a grad student in Guangzhou a few years back.
Dr. Harley Seyedin Much has changed since then. He is now an experienced diplomat and has
President served his country proudly. You can read more about Jim in this issue, but
AmCham South China we want him to know that all of us at the American Chamber of Commerce
in South China and our over 2,300 members wish him the best of success.
I also know Jim Levy is a sports fan and he has arrived just in time for
AmCham South China Youth Soccer league. The league kicks off on Oct 13.
It seems diplomacy is much like soccer these days. Basically, the game is all
about two teams trying to kick the ball down the field in opposite directions
to make a goal. Unlike the game, however, diplomacy works best when the
two sides work together to achieve common objectives.
The ongoing tit-for-tat trade conflict between China and the US has
continued to intensify recently, so much so that the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based think-
tank, has warned that the world's economy can't keep growing if things
don't improve on the trade front. While about 5,000 Chinese products from
household goods were targeted, many US businesses are expected to suffer
as well. What we should be focused on is mutually beneficial free and open
market policies. There remains much to be decided in that area.
The strength of the US and Chinese economies is inextricably linked to
trade and foreign investment, and both countries stand to gain significantly
from cooperation. While the previous rounds of tariffs have had a negative
impact on the business community in China, the additional $200 billion
tariffs levied by the US government on more than 5,000 items will further
intensify the trade friction between the two countries and bring far-
reaching consequences to American consumers, US companies in China,
and Chinese companies with operation in the US. AmCham South China
urges Washington and Beijing to deal with trade issues through continuous
dialogue and negotiation, and encourages both sides to return to the
negotiation table and seek alternative mutually beneficial solutions.
Unlike soccer, no one wins in US-China diplomacy if we continue to keep
kicking the balls in opposite directions.
