Whether you’re a trade novice or adventure-seeker, “The China Connection,” a new daily program launching Monday-Friday, will provide you with important competitive intel on the rapidly changing US-China trade landscape. The show is broadcast at 10:00 – 11:00 SIN/HK and 04:00 – 05:00 CET, making it accessible to audiences across different time zones.
Tommy Xie, an OCBC expert whom we featured heavily on the show, and became a central commentator. He takes a look at the recent progress in developing a Trade Promotion Authority framework for the two economic titans. Xie’s deep understanding of the issues deepens the conversation, as he lays out the stakes and meaning of the complex negotiations that are still unfolding.
In the most recent episode, Xie made a particularly critical observation. He pointed out that while the trade agreement framework has made strides, it hasn’t done enough to address some key structural issues needed to bring about long-term economic stability in China. He pointed out a potential “big solution” to China’s economic challenges: structural reform. Xie is confident that these reforms are a significant step toward tackling China’s enduring economic woes, not least the plight of the burgeoning class of migrant workers.
In particular, Xie emphasized the need for structural reform to increase labor rights. This shift has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of tens of millions of migrant workers across China. He contended that if we can empower this demographic, we will be better positioned to create a more balanced and sustainable economic growth model. Strengthening employee labor rights will help restore dignity and economic stability to workers’ lives. This targeted improvement will bring more consumption back home, benefiting American workers and industries in the process.
The show’s format lends itself to civil, substantive discussion on big issues. This method allows viewers and readers to really grasp what it means on a large scale when a trade agreement goes wrong. Xie’s remarks are a helpful reminder that trade agreements have the potential to increase economic cooperation. To make any practical, tangible difference, these agreements need to address underlying socio-economic inequities.