Are we heading for a global trade war? The trade policies of the current US government are raising concerns that are heading for a trade war between the world’s largest economies. Meanwhile US moves to block the appointment of judges to the World Trade Organisation’s Appellate Body are placing the organisation’s future in question. Is this the end of the global trading system as we know it, or are these concerns greatly exaggerated?

This panel discussion brings together senior practitioners and academics to dig below the headlines to carefully examine the trade policies of the US, China and the European Union, and analyse their implications for the future of the global trading system.

Speakers

Barbara Weisel, former US chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. She worked in the US government for more than 20 years in a variety of trade and foreign policy posts, including as Assistant US Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Barbara is now Managing Director at Rock Creek Global Advisors, an international economic policy advisory firm.

Shan Huang serves as Deputy Managing Editor and Editorial Board Member of Beijing-based Caixin Media, overseeing foreign desk and Caixin’s overseas branding efforts. He covers issues ranging from Sino-US relations and International trade to Chinese domestic politics and has been active in within the circles of diplomatic missions and chambers of commerce in Beijing.

Karl Falkenberg enjoyed a long career as an EU Commission official and worked on many multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations, including as Deputy Director General, DG Trade. He was also Director General for Environment. Karl retired from the Commission in July 2017 and works as an independent consultant and lecturer on trade policy and sustainability issues.

Emily Jones, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, will chair the discussion.

This event is co-hosted with the Global Economic Governance Programme.