Sino-US trade is probably one of the most important international relationships in this world. Before it was founded as the United States, New England had been already trading with China. From the era of the Boston Tea Party to the sailing ship Empress of China's historical journeys, Sino-US trade contributed enormously to the early development of the US economy. Many prominent New Englanders gained China fortunes through trade in tea, porcelain and opium. They brought wealth back to build schools, hospitals, and railways.

The same complementary Sino-US trade relationship exists in today's world. Learning from the past may help us prevent the current deterioration of US-China relations, to a state in which neither country can be better off. Professor Baizhu Chen, Co-Academic Director of USC-JTU ICC and former Academic Director of the Global EBA Program of the Marshall School of Business, brings the dual approaches of an economic historian and historical fiction writer as he revives the development of US-China trade relations over time.

About the Speaker

Dr Baizhu Chen is a professor at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business, also teaching at multiple EMBA programs in different universities. He received his PhD and MA in economics from the University of Rochester and his BS in mathematics from Fudan University in China. Professor Baizhu was formerly a President of the Chinese Economists Society (CES). He has over twenty years of experience in doing business in China. He has provided training and consulting services to many companies. Dr Chen has served and is currently serving as an independent board member of some public companies. He has worked closely with many law firms to defend companies engaging in Sino-US cross-border businesses. His recent book "Hei Tu Chong Yang" (Black Dirt Cross Ocean) is a historical fiction based on the early events in Sino-US trade relations.