How to leave China

A Resounding Maybe on Fleeing China

In China, the United States and the New Normal, I called the US-China trade war the “New Normal” and I predicted a “diminished future for foreign companies” manufacturing in China. I also said that since “the inception of the US-China trade war we have been saying that we do not see its end because we

Manufacturing in Mexico: Is it right for you?

In or Out. Thumbs Up or Down on Mexico.

Last year, I asked my good friend Andrew Hupert of North American Strategic Planning to explain what is involved in moving manufacturing from China to Mexico. I chose Andrew for this because he has spent so much time in both China and Mexico, navigating their manufacturing systems from the inside. My law firm frequently consulted with

China trademark use requirements

China Trademarks: Use It or Lose It

A trademark registrant in China is not required to use the trademark, but that could soon change. If a draft revision of China’s Trademark Law is adopted, registrants may be required to certify their use of their trademark every five years after registration. We have covered other aspects of the proposed law in Draft Revision

Friendshoring. Moving manufacturing from China friendshoring

China Plus One is Getting Real

In 2014-2015, China Plus One was all the rage, and everyone (including us) was talking about the risks of companies putting all their eggs in one “China basket.” It was determined a China Plus One strategy was the way to counter those risks. This strategy involved companies having some/most of their products made in China,

China supply chain risks

Your China Supply Chain is a Bet Against the House

Last year, I asked my good friend Andrew Hupert of North American Strategic Planning to explain what is involved in moving manufacturing from China to Mexico. I chose Andrew for this because he has spent so much time in both China and Mexico, navigating their manufacturing systems from the inside. My law firm frequently consulted with

Chinese companies in the United States and Mexico

Top Ten Reasons Chinese Companies Fail in America (and Mexico)

Way back in 2010, I wrote Ten Reasons Chinese Companies Fail In The U.S. for Forbes Magazine. My top ten list in that article was as follows: 1. Chinese companies focus on a Chinese consumer, not an American one. 2. Chinese companies fail to realize how one reputation-damaging mistake in the United States can doom

international contracts that work

International Contracts That Work

Lawyers love to jab at each other, especially when we are friends and operate in different jurisdictions or different practice areas. Recently a litigator friend said to me, “Don’t transactional lawyers just cut and paste? It looks really easy.” I replied, “Don’t litigators just argue about pointless things?” This willful misreading of each other’s skills

The China balloon and your international business

A Popped Balloon From China Presages Business Trouble

Last year, in Three Things Everyone Leaving China for Mexico Should Know, we talked about how when analyzing US-China relations, the “only politics worth watching are in Washington DC”: The politicians that matter to you are the ones writing, interpreting, executing, and judging United States trade laws. Don’t waste time and energy trying to read

China Lies and spies

China Spying: It’s Everywhere

You have almost certainly heard by now that there is a massive Chinese spy balloon currently hovering over U.S. airspace in violation of international and U.S. law. Or if you actually believe the CCP, it is merely a weather balloon that went very far off course. 1. China’s Spy Balloon Will Worsen China’s Relations with

Foreign Entrepreneurs in China

Helping New Entrepreneurs Understand Today’s China Business Environment

I have recently spoken with many entrepreneurs still growing their businesses in the United States. When I talked with them about their international plans, many were interested in expanding internationally, but lacked a viable roadmap and resources for doing so. As they learned about my expertise in China and greater Asia, our discussions coalesced around