Nov. 11, AmCham Shanghai President Kenneth Jarrett delivered an extensive presentation on the three key drivers in US-China relations and offered his critique on the current state of the relationship.
‘US-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, but also one subject to sharp ups and downs.’ Jarrett commented, ‘however, we can always recover from the ‘low points’ despite past frictions. There are sufficient reasons for us to be optimistic and positive on the US-China relations no matter what happens.’
Kenneth Jarrett, AmCham Shanghai President
Kenneth Jarrett first gave a brief review of why China is important in today’s global economy, then went on to paint a panorama of the US-China relations today, expounding on what US and China are trying to achieve through the bilateral relations respectively. ‘The balance of power between our two countries has been shifting, which may lead to tensions and suspicions,’ said Jarrett. ‘Leaders from both countries are working actively to achieve mutual cooperation.’
The three key drivers in contemporary U.S.-China relations, as identified by Jarrett, are economics and people, domestic politics, and history.
‘China has just overtaken Canada as the biggest trading partner of the United States, and the situation of investment is also changing significantly ‘ China’s investment in the US has exceeded US’s investment in China for the first time last year. Over time, the economic driver will keep increasing,’ Mr. Jarrett’s speech put a heavy emphasis on the economics-and-people driver, ‘China has now become a significant source of business community, students and tourists in the US – the diverse student body here is just another manifestation of people-to-people relations between US and China.’
‘Foreign policies are greatly shaped by domestic politics. And the agenda of the governments may also have a substantial impact on the US-China relations,’ added Jarret, ‘when it comes to the third driver – history, the United States should be more mindful about what happened in the past between China and the West, given the notable cultural differences between the two countries.’
Kenneth Jarrett is the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai since September 2013. Prior to that he was the Greater China Chairman for APCO Worldwide, a Washington-based public affairs consultancy from 2008 to 2013, and a U.S. diplomat from 1982 to 2008. During his 26-year diplomatic career, his postings included Consul General in Shanghai, Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong, and Director of Asian Affairs at the White House National Security Council. He also served in Beijing, Chengdu, Singapore, and had several assignments in Washington, DC. Mr. Jarrett has degrees from Cornell University, Yale University and the National War College. He is the recipient of the Magnolia Award (Silver) from the Shanghai government and is a member of the National Committee for US-China Relations.
