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Live Podcast
On China trade policy, states want more cooperation, less confrontation
Join Christopher Marquis, Cornell professor and host of the China Corner Office Podcast, for a live Webinar recording featuring guests with a wide range of expertise in Michigan economic development and the state's trade relations with China
While trade tensions between the US and China continue to fester at the national level, there is significant variation in how those effects are being felt across US states. In every state, there is a unique ecosystem that supports trade with China and other countries that track to the national situation to varying degrees. This CEO Webinar will focus on how firms in Michigan have continued to do business with China in recent years. We will specifically focus on the experience of Cherry Central Co-Op, a Michigan-based organization employing over 1000 people across 12 factories that buys and processes fruit from small farmers across the US and Canada, much of which is exported to China. We will discuss how the trade tensions have affected its business, how it positions and markets its products in China, how it takes advantage of state-based trade promotion resources, and also how it is dealing with the global shipping crisis.
If you are interested in these topics, then join Christopher Marquis, Cornell professor and host of the China Corner Office Podcast, for a live Webinar recording featuring guests, Mark Becker, Director of International Supply for Cherry Central Co-op, Erkan Kocas from the Michigan State University International Business Center, Kendra Kuo, Director, U.S. Commercial Service – Grand Rapids Office, and Alyssa Tracey, Director of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Watch the event
Discover resources from the International Trade Administration
Find additional U.S. Commercial Service local offices
China Country Commercial Guide
Discover resources from Cherry Central
Montmorency tart cherries’ benefits
Discover resources from ExportMI
Michigan Export Growth Program
Discover resources from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation
2021–2022 International trade events
Moderator
Christopher Marquis
Chris Marquis is the Sinyi Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Prior to joining Cambridge, he worked at Cornell and for 10 years at Harvard Business School and has held visiting professorships at Harvard Kennedy School, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Peking University, Fudan University, and Shanghai Jiaotong University. Marquis’ current teaching and research examines how the interaction between corporations, governments and civil society lead to socially and environmentally beneficial outcomes, with a particular focus on China. In the fall of 2022 will publish a new book titled Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise that examines the unique form of entrepreneurship and market development that has occurred in China over the last 40 years. He received a PhD in sociology and business administration from the University of Michigan.
Speaker
Mark Becker
Director of International Supply at Cherry Central where the firm helps in the process of moving fruit from the orchards, fields, bogs and farms to your home. Along the way the fruit makes various stops for various reasons. In the end, it is rewarding to help supply the farmers'/growers' fruit and supply a healthy ingredient to our clients and customers.
Speaker
Kendra Kuo
Director - Grand Rapids Office, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce
Kendra Kuo joined the U.S. Department of Commerce as an International Trade Specialist in 2000. She has worked for the Department’s offices in Atlanta, GA; Grand Rapids, MI; and on temporary assignments at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, China and the American Institute in Taiwan. In 2013, Ms. Kuo was promoted to be the Director of the Grand Rapids Office. Ms. Kuo advises U.S. companies on how to develop their international marketing strategies using federal government resources. She provides guidance to manufacturers on every level of the export process.
Speaker
Alyssa Tracey
Alyssa Tracey is the Director of International Trade at Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Alyssa’s program provides assistance to Michigan companies interested in exporting, including training, consulting, and financial reimbursement. She has spent her career working in economic development, and holds a BA in International Relations from Michigan State University and an MA in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan.
Speaker
Erkan Kocas
Erkan Kocas is the Assistant Director for International Trade Research at the Michigan State University International Business Center. He is involved in all efforts to connect the mid-Michigan business community with the resources of the International Business Center (MSU-CIBER) and the Broad College of Business. This work is strongly export-focused and includes programs such as the Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan and the Michigan Export Growth Program. The center also organizes tailored programs to assist businesses and associations in developing international strategies and creating export plans. Other resources include globalEDGE, the number one resource for international business information.
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