ACSI Board Member Dr. Wendy Leutert (GLP-Ming Z. Mei Chair of Chinese Economics and Trade at Indiana University) has been named as a Fellow for the seventh round of Public Intellectual Program (PIP) by the National Committee on US-China Relations. Launched in 2005, the PIP is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of China specialists through activities spread out over two years.
News
Jun. 23, 2021: ACSI Featured in SupChina China Corner Office Podcast
This week on China Corner Office, Chris Marquis talks with Mitchell Spencer, the founder of Indiana-based Polaris Rare Earth Materials, Craig Allen, the president of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), and Colin Renk, the executive director of the America China Society of Indiana. They discuss the growth of Mitchell’s businesses focused on manufacturing and supplying rare earths, particularly neodymium magnets to U.S. manufacturers, and why China is so dominant in this industry. The guests also reflect on the different lessons they have learned about doing business in China, such as the importance of flexibility and how to develop successful partnerships. Regarding the current environment, they discuss how the tariffs and global nature of supply chains affect U.S. businesses, especially SMEs.
Listen Now: https://supchina.com/podcast/china-and-rare-earths-a-view-from-u-s-states/
May 19, 2021: Indiana Exports to China Increase 56% in 2020, Becomes 5th Largest US State Goods Exporter to China
Last year, Indiana goods exports to China surged by $1.4 billion—up 56% percent from 2019. After two years of trade tensions that hurt American consumers and businesses, market openings and Chinese tariff exclusions in support of purchase commitments stoked US exports, according to a study released today by the US-China Business Council (USCBC), a non-partisan trade association representing more than 200 US companies from a wide range of industries.
“Indiana has been consistently punching above its weight and that’s down in no small part to the state’s strong leadership and collaborative business environment,” said Craig Allen, CEO and President of the USCBC.
Last year, Indiana’s top exports to China included pharmaceuticals & medicines ($1.4 billion), oilseeds & grains ($1.2 billion), medical equipment & supplies ($224 million), motor vehicle parts ($210 million), and resins & synthetic fibers ($107 million). According to USCBC, Indiana’s exports to China supported 20,400 American jobs in 2019.
“Since 2018, we’ve made it our mission to help companies navigate trade-related issues to help Hoosier business not only grow, but thrive,” said Colin Renk, executive director of the America China Society of Indiana (ACSI), a business-focused non-profit that facilitates bilateral trade and investment between Indiana and China.
Between 2011 and 2020, Indiana’s exports to China increased 88% while Indiana’s exports to the rest of the world grew 3%. To read the full report, please visit https://www.uschina.org/reports/2021-state-export-report.
May 3, 2021: As US-China Ties Fray, Indiana Firms Seek to Keep Trade Flowing
Fifty states, fifty stories of trade relations with China. What distinguishes these stories from the national narrative, which is increasingly marked by wariness and even hostility toward China, is a pragmatic desire to keep trade flowing, preferably growing, while the federal government figures out the meaning of terms like “strategic competitors.”
States are the terrain where rubber meets the road when it comes to trade policy. Get the trade policy right, and state economies benefit. Getting it wrong means job and tax revenue losses. For example, according to a recent study commissioned by US-China Business Council, trade with China supports 1.9 million US jobs. In 2018, the most recent year data are available, there were at least 200,000 fewer US jobs because of the trade conflict with China. Government officials and businesspeople are left to wonder: Will trade continue to shrink into a shadow of its former self, or will it somehow expand to new heights in the years to come?
Mar. 27, 2021: Asian American Hoosiers, Allies Rally Against Anti-Asian violence
On March 27th, a coalition of Asian-American organizations including the Indianapolis Chinese Community Center Inc., the Asian American Alliance Inc., the America China Society of Indiana, the Korean American Association of Indiana, the Burmese American Community Institute, and the Asian American Association at Indiana University rallied against Anti-Asian violence on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.
Feb. 13, 2021: ACSI Receives Awards from Local Community Center
On February 13th, the Indianapolis Chinese Community Center, Inc. (ICCCI) celebrated their 25th anniversary and awarded the America China Society of Indiana the Collaboration Partner Award! Additionally, ACSI Board Member Weilin Long and retired ACSI Board Member Joe Xu were recognized for their Outstanding Community Service with ACSI Executive Director Colin Renk awarded the Friend of ICCCI Award.
Feb. 2, 2021: ACSI Signs MOU Agreement with US-China Business Council
ACSI is delighted to announce a comprehensive MOU partnership with the US-China Business Council (USCBC). As part of the agreement, both organizations will collaborate on case studies, engagement, research, and other projects to support business and trade exchanges between Indiana and China. Additionally, the USCBC will provide quarterly updates to ACSI Members on the latest business and policy activity from Washington D.C.
Jan. 21, 2021: ACSI Releases 2020 Year in Review
As we usher in the Year of the Ox, take a look back at our pandemic response and adaptive programming from 2020!
Nov. 19, 2020: ACSI Hosts China Business Conference Online
On November 19th, ACSI hosted its fifth annual China Business Conference on an online platform which included virtual exhibition booths, B2B program, and interactive livestream. The half-day event, which hosted more than 190 business and government leaders, focused on the changing business dynamic between the U.S. and China and how Indiana businesses can cope with trade uncertainties. Presentations included Chinese Business Perspective on the Trade War, Exporting in the COVID-era Panel Discussion, Indiana-to-China Case Study: LHP Engineering Solutions, Trade & Tariff Considerations for U.S. Companies, Policy Roundtable—Recommendations for the Next Administration, Immigration, Visas & Global Mobility, and the Future of International Students in U.S.
Education.
July 14, 2020: Chinese Sister State Donates 100,000 Masks for Coronavirus Relief
The Provincial Government of Zhejiang, China has recently donated 100,000 medical masks to support coronavirus response and recovery efforts throughout the state of Indiana.
“It has been incredible to see Indiana companies and partners from across the world shifting gears to help support our health care providers on the frontline,” said Jim Schellinger, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “We are grateful for the friendship Indiana has cultivated with Zhejiang Province over the last 30-plus years and for their continued partnership during these unprecedented times.”
The face masks were delivered to the State of Indiana for distribution to Indiana’s hospitals, first responders, long-term care facilities and health care providers treating COVID-19 patients. This donation was facilitated by the America China Society of Indiana, which served as the importer on record and intermediary for the shipment. Additional regulatory and customs support were provided by Livingston International.
Since 1987, the state of Indiana has maintained a sister-state relationship with Zhejiang Province. Last September, Governor Eric J. Holcomb made his first official state visit to Zhejiang, traveling with Indiana Secretary of Commerce Schellinger and representatives of the American China Society of Indiana. While there, the delegation visited Hoosier and Chinese businesses and joined provincial officials from Zhejiang Province to renew the Indiana-Zhejiang sister-state relationship, celebrating the economic, cultural and educational connections shared between the two states.
“As our state continues to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus, this generous donation by the people of Zhejiang is welcome and truly appreciated,” said Colin Renk, executive director of the America China Society of Indiana. “It is during times of adversity that true friends are formed.”
This donation represents the sixth major PPE donation to the state of Indiana and its local communities by Chinese partners. Earlier this year, Westfield Outdoors, Faegre Drinker Shanghai Office and Shenzhen Diecasting Mold donated more than 105,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, gloves and gowns, to the state of Indiana. Additionally, the city of Hangzhou donated 10,000 medical masks to the city of Indianapolis; and the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, a capital campaign administered by coalition of seven Chinese-American non-profits throughout central Indiana, donated 22,500 PPEs to central Indiana hospital systems and medical centers.