Ep. 43: Constructive, Strategic, Stability: Decoding the Trump-Xi Pomp and Circumstance

After much anticipation the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing turned out to be heavy on atmospherics but light on substance. After doing the YMCA at the state dinner, the two super-powers seemed to bury their beefs (and “permit” more beef imports), and agree to agree to keep talking. This week, our trade experts discuss whether there were any actual deliverables outside the spectacle, and how the US-China relationship may be big on flattery, Pomp and Circumstance, while both countries co-exist, and the rest of the world will have to go their own way. But can they avoid choke points and mutually assured destruction on things like critical minerals, AI  and technology? Panelists also discussed ongoing fallout from court rulings reigning-in tariffs, Section 232 and 301 investigations, and the implications on frameworks and agreements on reciprocal trade reached over the past 12 months.Featured Speakers:Introduction: Kenneth Levinson, CEO, WITA – The International Trade AssociationWendy Cutler, Senior Vice President, Asia Society Policy Institute; former Acting Deputy U.S. Trade RepresentativeKate Kalutkiewicz, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates; former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Trade, National Economic Council, in the first Trump AdministrationStephen Vaughn, Partner, International Trade, King & Spalding LLP; former General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative in the first Trump AdministrationModerator: Chris Padilla, Senior Advisor, Brunswick Group; former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade