Simon Lester
Former UK Prime Minister Truss Speaks in Taiwan, Calls for "Economic NATO", Blocking China from CPTPP
Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, who previously served as International Trade Secretary and Foreign Secretary, gave a speech yesterday at the Prospect Foundation in Taiwan, entitled "Taiwan: On the Frontline of Freedom and Democracy," in which she called for "an economic NATO" involving "coordination
Canadian Parliament Committee Presses Pension Funds on China Investments
Earlier this month, the Canadian Parliament's Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship held a meeting that focused on Canadian investment funds and their investments in China.
U.S. Congressional Hearing Looks at Security, Competitiveness, and the Path Ahead for the U.S.-China Relationship
At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing yesterday on the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request, which focused on "Investing in US Security, Competitiveness, and the Path Ahead for the U.S.-China Relationship," Senators discussed several China-related issues with key Biden administration cabinet officials.
Congress Tries To Undo Biden's Solar Tariff Pause; Biden Vetoes
On an issue that puts climate change and concerns about trade with China in conflict, the U.S. Congress has tried to overturn a Biden administration move to pause tariffs on solar panel imports from Chinese companies operating in several Southeast Asian countries, but President Biden vetoed the Congressional action.
Congresswoman Raises Concerns about Chinese Takeover of U.S. Education Company
A Republican Congresswoman wrote to President Biden and Treasury Secretary Yellen last week with concerns about a Chinese private equity firm's acquisition of a U.S. educational company that serves military personnel and therefore has data on them.
Australian, Chinese Trade Ministers Meet
Last week, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell traveled to China and met with his Chinese counterpart, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, as part of the continued effort to ease tensions in Australia-China trade and foreign relations.
Philips Pays $62 Million for China FCPA violations
Last week, Netherlands-based medical device company Koninklijke Philips N.V settled a case brought against it by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") by its subsidiary in China.