This is the second in a series of web-only events by the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) entitled “Coronavirus, Asia, and the World.” In the coming weeks, ASPI will be presenting web-only programs every Tuesday and Thursday to analyze the full scope of the ramifications from the novel coronavirus for the region and the world. All events will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook. For information about future events in this series and for ASPI’s additional coronavirus content see here.

As the Coronavirus spreads, so too does the disruption to critical global supply chains and trade flows. Demand is plummeting for many goods and services; factory shutdowns and slowdowns are driving down supplies as well. Meanwhile, there’s something else in play: Dozens of governments are moving to keep production within their borders and keep goods at home. In one particularly damaging development, nearly 50 nations have placed restrictions on the export of urgently needed medical supplies and equipment — at precisely the moment when such products are in urgent need all over the world. Why is this happening? How damaging are such measures? And what can be done to roll back those restrictions?  What does this mean for supply chain chains going forward? Join the Asia Society Policy Institute for this global online conversation. 

Speakers

Wendy Cutler is Vice President of ASPI and Managing Director of its Washington, D.C. office. She joined ASPI following nearly three decades as a diplomat and negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Most recently, she served as Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, working on a range of U.S. trade negotiations and initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region. In that capacity she was responsible for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, including the bilateral negotiations with Japan.

Tom Nagorski (moderator) is Executive Vice President of Asia Society. He joined the Asia Society following a three-decade career in journalism — having served most recently as Managing Editor for International Coverage at ABC News.