Page 29 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
P. 29
ham President Harley
Seyedin's Reply to Ambassador
Terry Branstad
March 2020
Dear Honorable Ambassador Branstad,
It was both an honor and a pleasure to receive your recent letter. We also appreciate what you
have done concerning the current situation. You faced many challenges as governor of Iowa.
As the state’s longest-serving governor, you had to deal with some of Iowa’s worst economic turmoil
during the farm crisis of the 1980s and ended up leading the state’s resurgence to a booming economy
in the 1990s. Nothing, however in my mind, compares to what you have accomplished here in China.
It took a great deal of leadership to manage the evacuation of about 60% of the embassy’s U.S. citizens
as well as more than 800 Americans who were living throughout the country. We are blessed to have a
man of your distinction in Beijing. We appreciate everything that you do.
It is times like these where we do what we do best: stand up for America and its business interests.
Now is not the time to panic, but to do what is necessary. We have been guided by facts and advice
from medical experts and the federal, state, and local officials who are dealing with the situation.
Today, it’s too early to determine the long-term impact on supply chains, manufacturing, and the
international economy. Given the importance of consumer spending, much will depend on the
confidence of both the American and Chinese public. Our members have experienced a strong era of
growth. We expect more of the same healthy growth if not a little bit higher, for the coming year once
the current situation runs its course. We don’t think this situation is going to pose any lasting, long-
term negative effect on foreign industry located in China.
As a non-profit, non-partisan business organization, with a totally unpaid volunteer board
and administration who donate their time and own cash and resources, AmCham South China is
committed to the principles of free trade, open markets, private enterprise and the unrestricted
flow of information. Our Chamber has been working with our members to develop plans to defend
against such situations for well over a decade. Since 2006, as it was then reported by NY Times, I
have encouraged our companies to develop strategies against viral outbreaks as it was always “not a
question of if but when” a virus would strike. For too long the world has operated on a cycle of panic
and neglect. We echo the UN health agency’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “We
throw money at an outbreak, and when it’s over we forget about it and do nothing to prevent the
next one.” The Novel Corona Virus is drawing much-needed attention to the possibility of a global
health crisis. Awareness, however, is not enough. The status quo has made us all vulnerable. Lives will
continue to be at risk to similar occurrences without more action from policymakers from across the
planet. However, I am confident under President Trump’s leadership our country is developing plans
that will help us overcome this crisis and also be prepared to handle any future problem.
Thank you again for your kind words. The Chamber's mission is to advance human progress
through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative,
opportunity and responsibility. We take this charge seriously, and look forward to continuing our close
relationship.
With best regards,
Harley Seyedin
South China Business Journal 26
Seyedin's Reply to Ambassador
Terry Branstad
March 2020
Dear Honorable Ambassador Branstad,
It was both an honor and a pleasure to receive your recent letter. We also appreciate what you
have done concerning the current situation. You faced many challenges as governor of Iowa.
As the state’s longest-serving governor, you had to deal with some of Iowa’s worst economic turmoil
during the farm crisis of the 1980s and ended up leading the state’s resurgence to a booming economy
in the 1990s. Nothing, however in my mind, compares to what you have accomplished here in China.
It took a great deal of leadership to manage the evacuation of about 60% of the embassy’s U.S. citizens
as well as more than 800 Americans who were living throughout the country. We are blessed to have a
man of your distinction in Beijing. We appreciate everything that you do.
It is times like these where we do what we do best: stand up for America and its business interests.
Now is not the time to panic, but to do what is necessary. We have been guided by facts and advice
from medical experts and the federal, state, and local officials who are dealing with the situation.
Today, it’s too early to determine the long-term impact on supply chains, manufacturing, and the
international economy. Given the importance of consumer spending, much will depend on the
confidence of both the American and Chinese public. Our members have experienced a strong era of
growth. We expect more of the same healthy growth if not a little bit higher, for the coming year once
the current situation runs its course. We don’t think this situation is going to pose any lasting, long-
term negative effect on foreign industry located in China.
As a non-profit, non-partisan business organization, with a totally unpaid volunteer board
and administration who donate their time and own cash and resources, AmCham South China is
committed to the principles of free trade, open markets, private enterprise and the unrestricted
flow of information. Our Chamber has been working with our members to develop plans to defend
against such situations for well over a decade. Since 2006, as it was then reported by NY Times, I
have encouraged our companies to develop strategies against viral outbreaks as it was always “not a
question of if but when” a virus would strike. For too long the world has operated on a cycle of panic
and neglect. We echo the UN health agency’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: “We
throw money at an outbreak, and when it’s over we forget about it and do nothing to prevent the
next one.” The Novel Corona Virus is drawing much-needed attention to the possibility of a global
health crisis. Awareness, however, is not enough. The status quo has made us all vulnerable. Lives will
continue to be at risk to similar occurrences without more action from policymakers from across the
planet. However, I am confident under President Trump’s leadership our country is developing plans
that will help us overcome this crisis and also be prepared to handle any future problem.
Thank you again for your kind words. The Chamber's mission is to advance human progress
through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative,
opportunity and responsibility. We take this charge seriously, and look forward to continuing our close
relationship.
With best regards,
Harley Seyedin
South China Business Journal 26
