Charlene Barshefsky
12th United States Trade Representative
Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky served as United States Trade Representative during the administration of President Bill Clinton, when she led her country’s negotiations in international trade. She was instrumental in enhancing the U.S.-China trade relationship and worked with China’s Premier Zhu Rongji on establishing the terms for China’s eventual entry to the World Trade Organization in December 2001.
Jan 25, 2024
Charlene Barshefsky, a former top U.S. official, discusses in the interview with China-US Focus the lengthy negotiation process for China's entry into the WTO and its lasting impacts on China's economy, global integration, and U.S.-China relations, despite current challenges in trade norms and geopolitical shifts. She also emphasizes the significance of international businesses having a presence in China and the considerations they need to evaluate when determining whether to expand to the Chinese market.