Episode 11- Ambassador Dennis Shea

The Pack is joined this week by Ambassador Dennis Shea. Ambassador Dennis Shea was the Deputy United States Trade Representative and Chief of Mission, Geneva where he represented the United States as Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO).  Ambassador Shea takes us through his history serving on the U S China economic and security review commission. His time in Geneva where he became famous in China on Weibo, Chinas version of twitter.  Through the struggles at the WTO and some surprising allies as well as some allies that are more like frenemies. Ambassador Shea also talks about what his hopes are for the new administration and the future of the WTO. 

Sit back and enjoy this special trip through the interworking's of the WTO and the challenges that the US faces.  

2:32 Ambassador Shea’s time serving on the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission and China’s ability to export a chill on freedom of speech in America.

7:56 How Ambassador Shea became a US representative to the World Trade Organization, the ways other countries in the WTO have failed to hold China accountable, and 

17:35 Where the WTO has failed in promoting free and fair trade, the issues of including China in the WTO, and Ambassador Shea’s three main issues with the WTO.

29:29 China’s demands for the WTO going forward, how China called themselves a “developing country” to get preferential treatment, and the need for allied countries to join the US in sanctioning China.

37:38 Jack Ma’s disappearance, the Kennedy Bill’s debacle with delisting Chinese Telecom companies, and Ambassador Shea’s term for these sorts of companies: Ostensibly Private but State Influenced Corporations (OPSIC)

45:06 Ambassador Shea’s ideal agenda for the WTO going forward under the Biden administration and his urgent plea for other countries to join the US in WTO reform.

53:07 What Ambassador Shea will be watching in the coming years and what events would be cause for concern for the US.