In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes back Olivia Plotnick, Founder of Wai Social and one of the most insightful voices on Chinese consumer culture and digital marketing.

Olivia recently embarked on a remarkable journey across 32 cities in China over 60 days, immersing herself in the country’s diverse regional cultures and uncovering how people live, shop, and connect with brands today. From Tier 1 cities like Shanghai and Beijing to emerging urban centers, Olivia shares her firsthand observations of the evolving Chinese consumer landscape — revealing both common threads and striking regional contrasts.

The conversation explores the resurgence of offline retail, the growing influence of local brands, and what international businesses can learn from how China’s next generation of consumers engage with products, experiences, and storytelling. Olivia also reflects on her favorite moments from the road and offers advice for brands and travelers alike seeking an elevated understanding of today's modern China. Enjoy!

Discussion Points:

·       What inspired Olivia’s 60-day, 32-city journey across China

·       High-level takeaways about Chinese consumer trends and culture

·       Differences in consumer behavior between major cities and emerging markets

·       How offline retail and experience-driven shopping are evolving

·       Insights into how Chinese and international brands connect differently with consumers

·       What the trip revealed about the next generation of Chinese shoppers

·       Stories and standout moments from her travels

·       Olivia’s personal recommendations for cities to visit in China

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes back Crystal Tai. Crystal is a journalist, cultural strategy researcher, and Managing Partner at Nüora Global Advisors. Formerly Senior Managing Editor at Jing Daily, her work explores how changing values + consumer behaviors, and social movements shape business trends and global markets. 

In this episode, Crystal shares her insights on the latest developments in China’s sportswear and athleisure markets, including the ongoing popularity of Lululemon, the rise of niche sports labels, and emerging winterwear trends as the season approaches. She also provides an update on Chinese travel patterns in the post-COVID era, assesses overall consumer sentiment, and offers her take on Starbucks’ challenges in the Chinese market.

As always, Crystal brings her sharp reporting and deep understanding of Chinese consumer culture to the conversation—plus, a light-hearted discussion on Taylor Swift’s engagement and its reception among Chinese fans. Enjoy! 
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

·       How Lululemon continues to perform in China and key takeaways from its recent Q2 report.

·       The rise of niche sports brands and new trends in the sports and athleisure market.

·       Winterwear and winter sports trends to watch as the season kicks off.

·       Post-COVID travel patterns and evolving consumer behaviors in China.

·       Current Chinese consumer sentiment and what it means for global brands.

·       Starbucks’ challenges in China and whether the brand can bounce back.

·       A fun look at celebrity news—Taylor Swift’s engagement—and its impact in China.

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley sits down with David Perez-Des Rosiers, Director of the Beijing Chapter of the Canada-China Business Council (CCBC).

The CCBC has been a cornerstone of Canada–China business relations for over four decades, supporting Canadian enterprises as they navigate opportunities and challenges in China. David shares his perspective on the chamber’s work, its advocacy efforts, and the evolving landscape of bilateral trade and investment.

The conversation also touches on the current state of Canada–China relations, recent provincial-level engagement such as Saskatchewan’s trade mission to China, and the sectors where Canadian businesses are finding the strongest opportunities. David also previews CCBC’s upcoming AGM, an important gathering for business leaders and policymakers to exchange ideas and chart the path forward.

Whether you’re a Canadian business eyeing China, a policymaker, or simply someone interested in international trade, this episode provides practical insights into one of Canada’s most important commercial relationships.

Discussion Points

• David’s role as Director of the CCBC Beijing Chapter
• The role and mandate of the CCBC in Canada–China trade
• Services and support offered to Canadian companies in China
• Recent CCBC advocacy efforts and policy recommendations to Ottawa
• The state of Canada–China relations and signals from recent developments
• Reflections on the Saskatchewan delegation’s visit to China
• Top opportunities for Canadian businesses in China today
• Sectors where Canada has strong positioning (agriculture, energy, consumer goods, services)
• Preview of the CCBC’s upcoming AGM and its significance
• Advice for Canadian businesses navigating China’s market today

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are joined by Nicole Lin, Business Development Country Manager at Tmall Global. This conversation comes ahead of the China Cross-Border Summit in Los Angeles on October 16, 2025, co-hosted by WPIC and Tmall Global.

Nicole shares how Tmall Global is helping brands of all sizes access China’s enormous consumer market without requiring a local entity, explaining how bonded zones, logistics, and social commerce integrations make market entry seamless. She discusses the consumer-first philosophy at Alibaba, the latest trends driving growth on Tmall Global, and which categories—like beauty, wellness, supplements, premium food, and pet care—are seeing the biggest lift.

The episode also covers how international brands can localize, stand out, and succeed in China’s fast-paced digital landscape, plus a preview of what to expect at October’s summit in LA.

Discussion Points

• What brands can expect at the China Cross-Border Summit in Los Angeles this October
• What makes Tmall Global different from domestic e-commerce platforms
• How Chinese consumers discover and engage with brands in cross-border channels
• Why now is the right time for U.S. brands to enter the China market
• The top-performing consumer categories on Tmall Global in 2025
• Key lifestyle trends shaping China’s demand for international products
• Lessons from over 46,000 global brands already selling on Tmall Global
• How Alibaba helps brands localize through data, branding, livestreaming, and KOLs
• Practical first steps for brands that want to break into China

In this episode of The Negotiation, we welcome Emmanuel Poupelle, WPIC Marketing + Technologies’ Director of Growth for Europe, to explore how European lifestyle and health brands can succeed in China’s fast-changing consumer landscape. Originally recorded as a webinar, there were so many incredible insights brought to the discussion that we felt it was well worth publishing as a podcast as well.

Drawing on his extensive experience advising international brands, Emmanuel explains why China’s evolving demographics, shifting consumption priorities, and increasing demand for premium lifestyle products have created a major growth opportunity. We discuss why Xiaohongshu (RED) is essential for discovery and influence, how Chinese consumers evaluate value and quality, and why European “heritage” brands still hold strong appeal.

From health supplements and personal care to mental wellness and outdoor products, Emmanuel walks through the most promising categories—and why brands need to lead with storytelling, lifestyle positioning, and an integrated service model to win in China. Enjoy!

Discussion Points

• What’s changing in China’s consumer landscape—and why this matters for European brands
• The growing influence of Chinese outbound travellers and Xiaohongshu (RED)
• Why lifestyle positioning and heritage storytelling are key to market entry success
• Which health and wellness categories are gaining the most traction
• How services, co-branding, and social commerce strategies can complement product launches
• Timing your entry: why summer is ideal for lifestyle and travel-linked brands
• Where opportunities remain wide open: supplements, clean beauty, mental wellness

In this episode of The Negotiation, we speak with Clementine Pippa Ebel, a cultural strategist and expert on China’s rapidly growing outdoor sports market. Clementine works for KAILAS, one of China’s top domestic outdoor gear brands, and brings unique insight into how Chinese consumers are embracing trail running, hiking, camping, and the broader Gorpcore lifestyle.

We explore how outdoor culture is evolving across China—from elite ultra-marathon events to the growth of beginner-friendly running clubs in second- and third-tier cities. Clementine also explains what makes Chinese outdoor consumers unique, how Western brands can enter this space authentically, and the key regional nuances shaping demand.

We also explore the impact of digital communities, livestreaming, and Xiaohongshu on shaping outdoor trends—and why this space represents one of the most exciting opportunities in China's consumer market today.

Whether you’re an outdoor brand eyeing expansion into China or simply curious about cultural shifts in the region, this is a must-listen conversation.

Discussion Points:

·       Clementine’s journey from branding and cultural strategy to the world of outdoor sports in China

·       The growth of trail running and ultramarathons across Chinese regions

·       Why outdoor sports are resonating with young, urban Chinese consumers

·       The role of KAILAS and other local brands in shaping the market

·       Regional trends and the influence of nature tourism on demand

·       How community-driven platforms like Xiaohongshu are fueling outdoor enthusiasm

·       Gorpcore fashion: from function to street style in Chinese cities

·       What Western outdoor brands need to know to localize effectively

·       The intersection of sustainability, wellness, and outdoor consumerism

·       Clementine’s outlook on what’s next in China’s outdoor and adventure economy

In Part 2 of our interview with EIU economist Tianchen Xu, we turn our focus to the Chinese consumer. Is spending recovering? What’s happening in the housing market? And are the big headline sales events like 618 masking deeper issues in consumer confidence?

Tianchen walks us through the mixed signals emerging from China’s domestic economy, from retail sales rebounds to the drag of the property sector. He also explains the broader social and psychological drivers behind current consumption behavior and what he expects for the rest of the year.

Discussion Points:

• The rebound in retail sales and why it may not reflect deep consumer confidence
• How the housing slowdown continues to weigh on economic psychology
• The role of savings, youth unemployment, and pandemic aftershocks
• Local government infrastructure spending vs. private consumption as growth drivers
• Why we shouldn’t expect a “bazooka” of stimulus—and what slow, steady support may look like

In Part 1 of our conversation with Tianchen Xu, Senior Economist at The Economist Intelligence Unit, we dig into China’s macro performance in the first half of 2025—and what the future may hold. Tianchen analyzes Q1’s headline 5.4% growth, discusses why the London trade truce between the US and China matters, and highlights what Western media narratives often miss when reporting on China’s economy.

We also explore how resilient China’s economy really is in the face of renewed US tariffs, whether the truce will hold, and how all of this impacts international brands and investor sentiment. For anyone navigating China’s economic landscape in 2025, this episode offers a level-headed, data-driven perspective.

Discussion Points:

• Why Q1 2025’s 5.4% GDP growth may be more complicated than it looks
• The London US-China tariff agreement: what it covers and what could unravel
• How China’s supply chain reconfiguration may insulate it from future tariff shocks
• What Western media gets wrong about China’s macro fundamentals
• The role of state-led investment and policy buffers in maintaining growth momentum

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes back WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke to share insights around two pivotal developments for global consumer brands: the framework trade agreement between the US and China, and China’s massive 618 shopping festival.

Jacob breaks down the implications of the new framework agreement between the US and China, explains how tariff policies are shifting brand strategies, and highlights key recommendations for both U.S. and non-U.S. companies looking to grow in the APAC region. He also shares what’s different about this year’s 618 shopping event, how platforms like Taobao and Xiaohongshu are integrating content and commerce, and which product categories are set to win big.

If you’re a global brand navigating China’s trade and consumer landscape, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

Discussion Points:

• The latest updates from Jacob on the ground ahead of 618
• Key findings from WPIC’s June 2025 strategic tariff report
• What the US-China “London Deal” means for cross-border business
• Why 618 remains a crucial growth moment for international brands
• How platform integrations (e.g., the Red Cat Plan) are changing the game
• Growth sectors to watch: beauty, wellness, fashion, and baby care
• Jacob’s top 3 tips for brands to win during 618

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley sits down with Kevin Xu, founder of the bilingual newsletter Interconnected, which offers sharp analysis on the intersection of technology, investing, and geopolitics between the United States and China. Kevin has become one of the most thoughtful and trusted voices interpreting Chinese tech trends.

Together, they explore the evolving AI landscape in China, examining how players like DeepSeek and Alibaba are shaping the race, how export controls are impacting development, and why Kevin believes 2025 could be the year of the “AI RIF.” They also unpack China’s open-source culture, cloud strategy, and what Western analysts continue to get wrong about China’s innovation ecosystem.

If you want to understand better the complex forces shaping tech and policy between the world’s two largest economies, this is a must-listen.

Listeners should also check out Kevin’s newsletter Interconnected at interconnected.blog.

🔍 Discussion Points

• What Western analysts often get wrong about China’s tech ecosystem
• China’s strengths and weaknesses in AI vs. the U.S.
• Why Kevin believes 2025 may mark the start of “AI-driven layoffs” (AI RIF)
• DeepSeek’s rise and its open-source implications
• Why “open vs. closed” is a more useful lens than “US vs. China” in the AI race
• Alibaba’s AI and Cloud strategy post-reorganization
• Are U.S. tech export controls helping or hurting long-term AI innovation?
• Potential “second-order” consequences of chip restrictions
• Underrated trends in Chinese tech to watch in 2025
• What investors and operators should be paying attention to next