Anna Ashton is Senior Fellow for Asia Pacific Trade, Investment, and Innovation at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Her research focuses on the United States and China’s respective economic engagement in the region and implications for the U.S.-China bilateral relationship, as well as U.S. policy more broadly.  

Prior to joining ASPI, Anna led the U.S. China Business Council’s government affairs work, developing and implementing advocacy on behalf of member companies and representing the Council in engagements with the policy community and the public. Anna began her career as an intelligence officer for the Department of Defense, analyzing and briefing officials on strategic China issues. She later worked for her home state of Arkansas to recruit Chinese investment, and also spent several years analyzing trade and investment issues for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. 

Anna holds a JD from Georgetown Law, an MA in East Asian Languages and Civilizations from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a BA in Chinese Studies from Wellesley College. She serves on the Congressional Circle for the U.S.-Asia Institute and is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the Trade Policy Forum, and Women in International Trade.