Andy Rothman, Founder and CEO, Sinology – Ignorance is Not Bliss: Why American firms can't just ignore China

Episode 180 of the Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders podcast, hosted by ICR, titled "Andy Rothman, Founder and CEO, Sinology – Ignorance is Not Bliss: Why American firms can't just ignore China" was published on May 28, 2025 and runs 25 minutes.

May 28, 2025 ·25m · Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

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Summary

Given the new administration's tariff policy and the global unease we've seen in recent months, we felt it was a good time to pick the brain of someone who's spent decades studying China's economy and its evolving relationship with the United States.Andy Rothman is the founder and CEO of Sinology, a consulting firm that provides advice to institutional investors and companies on the opportunities and risks presented by China's economy and on the impact of changes in US China relations. Previously, Andy spent 11 years working as China strategist for Matthews Asia, one of the largest active US based investors in China's equity markets. That comes after a 17-year China-focused career as US foreign service officer that included serving as the Taiwan desk officer at the State Department in the mid-nineties, and serving as head of the Macroeconomics and Domestic Policy Office at the American Embassy in Beijing. Andy shares his thoughts on the current trade dispute and the economic situation within China, and discusses what he's heard from Chinese business people and political officials during recent visits to the country. Highlights:Andy's history with China (1:57)The situation within China (4:08)Exports vs. domestic demand (7:09)Where negotiations go from here (8:41)Supply chain impacts (11:29)The tech race (13:33)Taiwan (14:48)Consumer sentiment in China (16:40)China's demographic challenges (20:07)China's capital markets (21:19)Planning for the future (22:45) Links:Andy Rothman LinkedInSinology WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR Website Feedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, [email protected].

Episode Description

Andy Rothman is the founder and CEO of Sinology, a consulting firm that provides advice to institutional investors and companies on the opportunities and risks presented by China's economy and on the impact of changes in US China relations.

Previously, Andy spent 11 years working as China strategist for Matthews Asia, one of the largest active US based investors in China's equity markets. That comes after a 17-year China-focused career as US foreign service officer that included serving as the Taiwan desk officer at the State Department in the mid-nineties, and serving as head of the Macroeconomics and Domestic Policy Office at the American Embassy in Beijing.

Andy shares his thoughts on the current trade dispute and the economic situation within China, and discusses what he's heard from Chinese business people and political officials during recent visits to the country.

Highlights: