U.S.-China Governors Collaboration Summit maintains trade dialogue

World
Europe

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In the current tense trade climate between China and the U.S., you would think that there's very little room for optimism. But that wasn't the case in Lexington, Kentucky where political leaders on the sub-national level from China and the U.S. gathered to keep the relationship alive.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin was behind the idea for the U.S.-China Collaboration Summit. As a sign of collaboration, the National Governors Association worked with the China General Chamber of Commerce to bring together 400 Chinese political and business leaders along with governors and vice governors from 20 U.S. States and territories.

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All are concerned about the economic downside as this trade dispute lingers. Bevin has worked hard at creating a strong relationship with China, and he's doing all he can at his level to keep the dialogue going and to remain upbeat.

"The majority of these things are very close to being resolved, and I'm absolutely confident they will be," Bevin told CGTN after the summit wrapped up.

Panelist Ryan Jiao, chief financial officer at PingPong Global Solutions, stressed the importance of dialogue at one of the sessions on e-commerce and cross border trade.

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"I want to borrow Jack Ma's statement at the 2018 World Economic Forum. No one can stop globalization, and no one can stop trade," said Ryan Jiao.

That was evident at this Summit where signs were placed on tables encouraging deal making. Michael North of the Galaxy Trade and Technology Company said he thinks his company may have nailed down a couple of deals. He also thinks the trade troubles will end soon because they have to.

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"I came here optimistic, I'm even more optimistic now, and it's not just blind optimism. I think it's from having seen and heard from a lot of people who share the same commitment as we do," said North.

Is the enthusiasm in Lexington contagious? The people at this conference are certainly hoping it can spread to Washington and Beijing because they all see the relationship between these two economic powerhouses as vital.