Bloomberg Quotes Clete Willems on Role in Trade Talks for China’s Commerce Minister
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Clete Willems, a partner in the public law and policy practice at Akin Gump, has been quoted in the Bloomberg article “China Trade Minister Steps Out of the Shadows for the First Time in U.S. Talks,” which reports on the emergence of China’s commerce minister as a key player in trade talks between Beijing and Washington.
The article reports that there are questions as to how the presence of Zhong Shan could affect the tone in upcoming talks. Bloomberg says he has a tough reputation and is considered by some as a hard-liner who could make the negotiating environment more hostile than it already was.
Willems, a former Deputy Director of President Trump’s National Economic Council who worked on previous China talks, said bringing Zhong on board may actually not be a bad sign for a final agreement.
“There may be short-term disruption as the two sides adjust to the change in lineup, but ultimately his inclusion will be helpful by ensuring buy-in across China’s political spectrum,” said Willems.