Amid escalating global trade tensions, economists and policymakers convened at the Harvard College China Forum this weekend to dissect the complexities of U.S.-China economic relations. The event highlighted diverging perspectives on tariffs and trade imbalances, particularly against the backdrop of former U.S. President Donald Trump's legacy of aggressive trade policies.
Discussions centered on the U.S. trade deficit with China, a persistent concern for Trump-era policymakers. Experts at the forum emphasized that focusing solely on goods imbalances overlooks Washington's $50 billion surplus in services trade with Beijing. "Trade isn't a zero-sum game," noted one panelist, stressing the need for holistic assessments of cross-border economic flows.
The forum comes as businesses and investors seek clarity on how evolving U.S.-China economic strategies could reshape supply chains and market access. Attendees explored innovative frameworks for balancing competition with cooperation, particularly in emerging sectors like green energy and advanced manufacturing.
While political rhetoric often dominates trade discourse, academic participants underscored the importance of data-driven policymaking. Recent economic analyses presented at the event revealed surprising synergies in cross-Pacific technology partnerships, challenging conventional narratives about decoupling trends.
