EAI Visiting Research Professor Frank Pieke speaks to Dr Scott Kennedy, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), about the evolution of US-China relations under the Biden and Trump administrations.
 
They discuss China’s potential strategic responses to Trump 2.0, including the preparation of retaliatory moves, the strengthening of its domestic economy, the expansion of international partnerships.
 
They also weigh in on how US policies on trade may inadvertently advance Chinese goals, and examine the relationship between Trump and Elon Musk and its implications for business relations with China.
 
Highlights: 
00:00 China's strategy under Trump: self-reliance, export controls, and global partnerships
06:46 The Biden administration’s approach towards technological leadership and the irony of US policies on trade inadvertently advancing Chinese goals 
13:07 Assessment of the Biden administration’s China policy 
21:32 The relationship between President Trump and Elon Musk and its implications for business relations with China 
25:22 The impact of geopolitical conflict on businesses and their responses, including diversification strategies 
29:21 EU vs. US: differing China policies on trade, tariffs, and business, with non-US firms potentially benefiting from US-targeted measures.
34:31 Chinese responses to decoupling strategies in light of US-imposed business restrictions 
 
This podcast episode was recorded on 8 January, 2025.

East Asia Pulse is a podcast produced by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It provides in-depth analyses of political, economic and strategic trends in East Asia.

Mailing list: http://tiny.cc/eai-emailing
LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-asian-institute/
YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/EastAsianInstituteNUS

In the launch episode of East Asia Pulse, EAI Director Alfred Schipke sits down with Professor Meg Rithmire, James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School, to discuss the geopolitical outlook for businesses amid Trump 2.0.

They weigh in on how companies should evolve governance practices to deal with geopolitical and national security risk and better prepare for disruptions stemming from US-China tensions, particularly in the context of China's unique political economy.

They also discuss the implications of the "Made in China 2025" policy push, as well as the need for further development and reform of Chinese institutions in order to address existing policy gaps and challenges, such as the problem of local government debt and perceived overcapacity in specific industries in the Chinese economy.

Highlights:
00:00 Global companies' responses to geopolitical risk amid US-China tensions

16:04 The lag in institutional development in China in comparison to the rapid development of advanced industries in the country, and the need for institutional reform

19:56 The unintended consequences of campaign-style policymaking in China under the Chinese Communist Party

35:55 The impact of geopolitical tensions on academic and cultural exchanges between the US and China

41:00 The implications of Trump's presidency for US-China relations, particularly the potential for him to strike a deal with China and carve out areas of cooperation 

This podcast episode was recorded on 8 January, 2025.

East Asia Pulse is a podcast produced by the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It provides in-depth analyses of political, economic and strategic trends in East Asia.

Mailing list: http://tiny.cc/eai-emailing
LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-asian-institute/
YouTube channel: http://youtube.com/EastAsianInstituteNUS