Barbara Weisel, former Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has seen US-China relations deteriorate, with journalist expulsions and a fierce war of words between the two sides. While the 27 March phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping indicates a potential thaw in relations, questions remain as to whether the two major powers can work together to address the spread of the pandemic and the global economic fallout.

To brief Asia House Corporate Members on the latest from Washington DC, Barbara Weisel, former Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, will join Asia House via videolink on 16 April.

With President Trump facing criticism of his handling of the unfolding public health crisis, he has turned his attention to the faltering US economy, helping drive an historic US$2 trillion relief package through the Senate. But with the US now recording the highest COVID-19 death rate in the world, how this spiralling crisis is managed will prove crucial not just for the US’s domestic economy, but also it’s place in the global trading order.

Speaking from Washington DC, Barbara will offer her thoughts on the US’s management of this dual public health and economic crisis, and reflect on what it could mean for US-China relations and the global geopolitical landscape.

Barbara is currently Managing Director at Rock Creek Global Advisors. She served most recently as Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and was the US Chief Negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership from its inception in 2008 through its signing in 2016.

This briefing is held exclusively for Asia House Corporate Members. To register interest in attending, please contact Edward Danks at Edward.danks@asiahouse.co.uk.