On March 22, AmCham China, Tianjin hosted a Townhall-style event in Tianjin with US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns. Mark Dreyer, AmCham China’s Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, kicked off proceedings by welcoming Marcus Williams, Chair of the AmCham China Tianjin Chapter, to the stage. Before introducing Ambassador Burns, Williams made a point of recognizing Dr. Joseph Polisi, the man responsible for bringing the Juilliard School to Tianjin after spending more than three decades as the school’s President in New York City, emphasizing the importance of culture and education as a strong connection between the US and China.
Ambassador Burns then spoke on four challenges in US-China relations: economy and trade, technology, security issues and geopolitical positioning, and human rights. He stated that US companies face substantial barriers in the PRC market and need a more level playing field. He also discussed areas where the United States and China should engage, including climate change, the fentanyl crisis, global health issues, and agriculture.
Pointing out that China was the third largest trade partner of the US in 2022 behind only its neighbors, Mexico and Canada, Ambassador Burns emphasized that the US business community is a critical bridge between our two countries.
More than 50 members came together for this intimate event, with Ambassador Burns kindly staying long after the allotted time to meet the attendees and hear their stories. Overall, the event provided insights into the current state of US-China relations and the importance of maintaining communication and cooperation between the two countries.