Partial Disengagement: A New U.S. Strategy for Economic Competition with China

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019, the Center for Innovation, Trade, and Strategy held a briefing and discussion on “Partial Disengagement: A New U.S. Strategy for Economic Competition with China” in Washington, D.C.

Featured Speakers

Charles Boustany
Counselor, The National Bureau of Asian Research
Former U.S. Representative

Aaron Friedberg
Professor of Politics and International Relations, Princeton University
Counselor, The National Bureau of Asian Research

China has long followed a predatory approach to its economic relations with the United States. While China has deployed subsidies, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers and restricted investment in “strategic sectors” of its economy, the United States has remained comparatively open to Chinese imports and investment.

In the last two years, tensions have come to a head with the trade war. While the White House and Congress have tightened technology transfers and investment screenings, representing widespread support for a tougher stance toward China, a clear and comprehensive strategy is still lacking.

Dr. Boustany and Dr. Friedberg argue for partial economic disengagement from China and lay out a clear four-part strategy for the United States to increase the long-term security and welfare of its citizens. Complimentary copies of their report “Partial Disengagement: A New U.S. Strategy for Economic Competition with China” were available at the briefing.

Speaker Bios

Charles W. Boustany Jr. is a Counselor at the National Bureau of Asian Research. He is Co-chair and a Principal Investigator of the Taskforce on Transforming the Economic Dimension of U.S. China Strategy.

Aaron L. Friedberg is Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University. He is Co-chair and a Principal Investigator of the Taskforce on Transforming the Economic Dimension of U.S. China Strategy.

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