On January 15, 2020, President Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He signed the much-anticipated “Phase One” trade agreement between the U.S. and China. Set to take effect no later than February 14, 2020, the “Economic and Trade Agreement Between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China” (the “Agreement”) is the first formal accord concluded between the U.S. and China since the U.S. began imposing tariffs on Chinese imports in July 2018 and China responded in kind, triggering protracted negotiations buffeted by additional rounds of tariffs. In this respect, the Agreement signals a potential easing of trade tensions and renewed confidence in the bilateral economic relationship. The tariff landscape, however, will likely stay intact in the near-term future, and the Agreement may not ameliorate core U.S. concerns about China’s problematic intellectual property practices and China’s state-led economic development model. It remains to be seen how new obligations will be interpreted and enforced, and how the parties’ subsequent negotiations will evolve.

Our full analysis is posted here.

Photo of Minwoo Kim Minwoo Kim

Minwoo Kim advises global corporations, industry associations, non-profit corporations, and governments on international trade policies, international law, and cross-border disputes.

In his disputes practice, Minwoo has handled high-stakes commercial and treaty-based arbitrations. He has also represented sovereign states before the International Court of…

Minwoo Kim advises global corporations, industry associations, non-profit corporations, and governments on international trade policies, international law, and cross-border disputes.

In his disputes practice, Minwoo has handled high-stakes commercial and treaty-based arbitrations. He has also represented sovereign states before the International Court of Justice and UNCLOS Annex VII tribunals. He is a Professorial Lecturer in Law at George Washington University School of Law (Arbitration).

In his trade practice, he routinely helps global corporations, industry associations, and governments interpret and assess foreign regulatory practices under international trade agreements, including the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, as well as preferential trade agreements.

Prior to joining the firm, Minwoo was a judicial intern for Hon. Rudolph Contreras, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, a legal intern at the Integrity Vice Presidency, the World Bank, and an intern at the National Assembly of Korea, the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. Minwoo also maintains an active pro bono practice.

Photo of Christopher Adams Christopher Adams

Christopher Adams advises clients on matters involving China and the region. A non-lawyer, Chris served as the Senior Coordinator for China Affairs at the Treasury Department. He coordinated China policy issues across the U.S. government, led negotiations with China on a broad range…

Christopher Adams advises clients on matters involving China and the region. A non-lawyer, Chris served as the Senior Coordinator for China Affairs at the Treasury Department. He coordinated China policy issues across the U.S. government, led negotiations with China on a broad range of trade and investment issues, managed the highest level U.S.-China economic policy dialogues for the Obama and Trump administrations, and advised the Treasury Secretary and other cabinet officials.

Chris helped develop and implement U.S. trade policy toward China with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) from 2007 to 2015 as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China Affairs, Senior Policy Advisor to the Deputy USTR, and Minister Counselor for Trade Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, USTR’s first representative in China.

Chris directed government affairs, public relations, and corporate marketing in China for the Eastman Kodak Company from 2001 to 2006 as Chief Representative for China; Vice President, North Asia Region; and Director, Olympic Programs. During this time, Chris was elected to four consecutive terms as a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in China and served on the Chamber’s Public Policy Development Committee.

Chris assisted companies with market access issues as a commercial officer in the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in Beijing and Taipei, from 1993 to 2001. Before joining the Commerce Department, Chris managed media relations and information programs with the American Institute in Taiwan and directed business advisory services at a private trade association in Washington, DC.