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© 2010 American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai Blog
We have concluded our 2010 Doorknock and I believe it is the best one yet in terms of audience, added credibility and forming relationships both within the private sector think tanks and government. This was due to the hard work and diligence of the AmCham Shanghai delegation, led by Robert Roche, chairman of AmCham Shanghai and our AmCham Shanghai staff, led by Brenda Foster, and including David Basmajian and Justin Chan.
I would like to add my personal thanks to everyone who participated and made an effort to help make the American business community stronger. It was a pleasure to work with all of you!
Warm regards,
Phillip E. Branham
Chair, 2010
Washington, D.C. Doorknock
With a vote expected this week in the House on the Ryan-Murphy bill (Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act) that would allow the U.S. to impose tariffs on countries that undervalue their currency, the AmCham Shanghai-led delegation began its annual Washington, D.C. Doorknock.
While AmCham Shanghai agrees China’s currency is undervalued, it is our position that legislation meant to force RMB revaluation won’t create American jobs and could in fact have the opposite effect.
During the first day of meetings, AmCham Shanghai communicated its message that the key to creating and supporting high-paying jobs in the United States requires increasing U.S. export promotion in China, which is the world’s fastest-growing market, while at the same time, continuing to press China for full market access.
The Doorknock delegation, including AmCham Shanghai President Brenda Foster, Chairman Robert Roche and Doorknock Chair Phillip E. Branham, with Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Economic Strategy Institute
Today’s meetings included a breakfast with Erin Ennis, vice president of the US-China Business Council, where the delegation discussed the political environment in Washington, D.C. as well as ways U.S. exports to China can create and support new jobs at home. Delegation members also met with Clyde Prestowitz, president of the Economic Strategy Institute and Ambassador Carla Hills of Hills & Company to discuss the U.S.-China commercial relationship.
A group of delegates also visited the U.S. Capitol to meet with Senator Dan Inouye (D-HI), president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate who also serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The delegates engaged Sen. Inouye on the merits of increasing U.S. exports to countries like China and discussed the potential impact of the pending currency legislation.
The Doorknock delegation speaks to Senator Dan Inouye (D-HI)
AmCham Shanghai delegates also engaged two of the premier think tanks in Washington, D.C. to ensure that the on-the-ground experience of American companies in China is clearly communicated in the nation’s capital. Delegates met with Kenneth Lieberthal, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution and Nicholas Lardy, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics to discuss the future of the U.S.-China commercial relationship and the impact of economic policies in both nations.
From September 26-29, AmCham Shanghai will send a delegation to the nation’s capital representing the views of the membership. The 2010 AmCham Shanghai Washington, D.C. Doorknock delegation will meet with members of the Administration, Congress and other key decision-makers to talk about the most important issues impacting the American business community in China.
It is election season in Washington which means Congress and the Administration is focused on the economy and supporting policies that will create American jobs. We will convey the message that China offers a tremendous opportunity for U.S. export growth and job creation for American workers. U.S. exports to China are up a staggering 330% since 2000 and companies doing well here in China support growth of the American economy.
At the same time, American companies need the U.S. government to vigorously engage China for full market access and on other issues that will help American companies compete in the world’s fastest growing market.
The AmCham Shanghai delegation is a representation of the AmCham Shanghai membership that includes representatives from Fortune 500 companies, SMEs and entrepreneurs. Please click here for bios on each delegate member.
We have developed this AmCham Shanghai Doorknock 2010 blog to provide an overview of the membership delegation as well as an ongoing update of meetings and events that will take place during the Doorknock.
We hope that you check in with our blog to get the latest news.
Thanks for your interest, and we’ll see you back in Shanghai!
Warm regards,
Phillip E. Branham
Chair, 2010
Washington, D.C. Doorknock
2009 has been a busy year in Washington. President Obama has pursued an ambitious agenda focused on getting the American economy back on its feet. The Administration has identified the U.S. – China relationship as a top foreign policy priority and vital to a global economic recovery.
From September 21-24, AmCham Shanghai will send a delegation representing the views of the membership to Washington, D.C. on a “Doorknock” where members of the Administration, Congress, and other key decision-makers will be engaged on important issues facing the American business community in China.
Our delegation is a representation of the AmCham Shanghai membership including representatives from Fortune 500 companies, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. Please click here for bios on each delegate member.
During our meetings we will focus on enhancing U.S. competitiveness in China.
As we all know, Trade with China is vital to the US domestic economy. US exports to China have grown 340% since 2000 and China has become America’s 3rd largest export market.
As the American economy begins to recover, we believe that improving US competitiveness in China and increasing U.S. exports to China will drive economic growth and create jobs in the US.
We will focus on three key messages:
- Request increased funding for US trade promotion programs that will help American companies, particularly SMEs, to compete in China.
- Ask elected officials and policy makers to work with the American business community to develop the emerging Greentech and clean energy market in China.
- Promote continued engagement with China as be best way to ensure China meets its WTO commitments through bi-lateral dialogues such as the S&ED and the JCCT.
The AmCham Shanghai Doorknock 2009 blog provides an overview of the membership delegation that as well as an ongoing update of meetings and events that will take place during the doorknock.
We hope that you check in with our blog to get the latest news!
Thanks for your interest and we’ll see you back in Shanghai!
| Phil Branham | J. Norwell Coquillard |
| Chairman, AmCham Shanghai 2009 Washington D.C.Doorknock | Chairman, AmCham Shanghai Board of Governors |
Our delegation includes (Please click here for bios on each delegate member):
| Name | Company/Organization | Title/Position |
| Phil Branham | B&L Group | President |
| Nor Coquillard | Cargill China | President (Chairman of AmCham Shanghai) |
| Brenda Foster | AmCham Shanghai | President |
| Jeff Bernstein | Emerge Logistics | Managing Director |
| Matthew Chervenak | General Biologic | CEO |
| Ted Dean | BDA | Managing Director |
| John Grobowski | Faegre & Benson | Managing Partner (Vice Chairman of AmCham Shanghai) |
| Tom McCawley | Owens Corning | General Manager, Energy Solutions |
| Charles McElwee | Squire, Sanders & Dempsey | Counsel |
| Robert Roche | Acorn International | Attorney & Investor |
| Steven Tseng | KPMG | Asia Pacific Partner-in-Charge, Transfer Pricing |
| Name | Company/Organization | Title/Position |
| David Basmajian | AmCham Shanghai | Director of Communications and Publications |
| Patrick McNally | AmCham Shanghai | Committees Liaison |
