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January 15, 2019 POLICY Trade in the Trump Era: A Status Report On his third day in office, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) over concerns that the landmark trade agreement would harm the interests of American businesses and consumers. Two years later, the 11 other TPP signatories have moved forward without the U.S, which has instead pursued bilateral trade agreements. In this video, Asia Society Policy Institute Vice President Wendy Cutler, a former top trade negotiator, assesses the state of trans-Pacific trade two years after the U.S. withdrawal and explains why she doesn't think the Trump administration will seek to rejoin it. Watch

BOOKS Debating Chairman Mao in the People's Republic of Berkeley When he was 15 years old, Weijian Shan, like millions of other young city-dwellers during China's Cultural Revolution, was sent to the countryside as part of a Mao Zedong-led re-education campaign. Years later, after becoming one of the first Chinese citizens ever to obtain a Ph.D. in the U.S., Weijian became a world-renowned financier and private equity pioneer. Weijian recounts his remarkable life story in his new book Out of the Gobi, My Story of China and America. In this excerpt, he describes how he thought he'd left Chairman Mao behind — only to find himself arguing about the Chinese leader in the People's Republic of Berkeley. Read PODCAST Hong Kong in the U.S.-China Crossfire Over the past year, people in Hong Kong have watched with concern as the trade war between the United States and China has escalated into a broader strategic rivalry, potentially threatening the territory's prosperity. Complicating matters, the "one country, two systems” framework guiding Hong Kong's relations with Beijing faces increasing strain. In this episode of the Asia Inside Out podcast, Asia Society Policy Institute Vice President Daniel Russel talks with Dennis Kwok, a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and founding member of the Civic Party, about Hong Kong’s perspective on the ongoing U.S.-China tensions and the state of Hong Kong's autonomy. Listen

UPCOMING EVENTS New York — China, the U.S., and One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey, 1/16 Houston — U.S.-Iran Relations After the Nuclear Deal, 1/17 Mumbai — India: Why Teachers Need To Learn, 1/17 Hong Kong — Sunset Survivors, 1/22 JOIN & SUPPORT Asia Society relies on the generosity of its friends and members to support its mission of strengthening relationships and promoting understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. Become a Member Donate