(October 18, 2023) The Center for Business Studies and Innovation in Asia-Pacific (CBSI) was privileged to host a talk by Ker Gibbs, CBSI’s Executive-in-Residence, past President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, and editor of the recently released book Selling to China: Stories of Success, Failure, and Constant Change. After welcoming remarks from USF Associate Dean Courtney Masterson and CBSI Director Xiaohua Yang, Ker was joined in conversation with Dr. Sean Randolph, Senior Director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, and Dan Krassenstein, a supply-chain expert and contributor to the book.
Drawing from his acclaimed new book, Ker discussed opportunities and challenges facing foreign businesses in China. He and Dan shared fascinating stories and firsthand accounts of the geopolitical tensions currently impacting US-China bilateral relations. While optimistic about the future, Ker expressed concern that Beijing is placing more focus on control rather than economic growth and that “decoupling” the two economies will have negative consequences for both countries.
Ker, who splits his time between San Francisco and Shanghai, has decades of international business experience that give him unique insight into US-China relations and the interdependence of the two economies. We thank Ker for candidly sharing his economic, political and cultural expertise. He is a tremendous asset to CBSI, the University and its students as we strive to better understand and improve US-China relations. Special thanks to the Singapore Global Network, Bay Area Council, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Global:SF for their sponsorship of Ker’s talk.
Picture above (left to right): Ker Gibbs; Kerr and Dan Krassenstein; Ker, Dan and Dr. Sean Randolph; audience; Ker, Dan and Sean; Ker and his parents Loretta and Donald Gibbs; William Ktsanes, Ker, Dr. Xiaohua Yang, Dan and Sean; William, Ker, Xiaohua, Loretta, Donald, Dan, Sean and USF Associate Dean Courtney Masterson; very special thanks to photographer Ted Kurihara!