Clete Willems Quoted in South China Morning Post on Coronavirus Impact on U.S.-China Trade Relations

March 26, 2020

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South China Morning Post has quoted Clete Willems, public law and policy partner at Akin Gump, in the article “Coronavirus: trade war with China weakens crucial links in US medical supply chain.” The article reports that some members of the Trump administration are trying to avoid reducing tariffs on imported medical supplies from China, amid concerns that such a move could undercut their hawkish trade stance toward Beijing.

Critics, though, the article notes, say high tariffs on Chinese medical items as well as a protracted U.S.-China trade war may have far-reaching implications that could potentially cost hundreds of lives.

“The U.S., I believe, was justified in adopting a much more aggressive policy toward China,” said Willems. “But my worry is that we’re going too far.” “Global problems require global solutions” instead of countries walling each other off, he added.

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