Thanks to the convening and enabling power of our member and series partner Brunswick Group, it was an honour and privilege to host Mr. Bob Zoellick, Senior Counselor of Brunswick Group today. Bob is a very distinguished former US public servant and the depth and breadth of his experience was on display this morning.

The event was timely coming as it does towards the end of the first year of the Biden Administration, the recent Biden-Xi virtual meeting {“no new dawn!”} and the conclusion of COP26.

Bob provided an excellent overview of Biden’s approach to foreign policy from first principles and from the constraining practicalities of US politics. Ditto for President Xi Jinping. Bob’s address ranged widely across US-China relations, and their implications for ASEAN and the broader Indo-Pacific, to trade, Afghanistan, AUKUS and multilateral organizations. He pointed to the two key priorities that Biden focused on when he assumed office this year – management of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recovery.

The dialogue with members was expertly moderated by Ms. Joanna Donne, Partner, Brunswick Group, Singapore.

The Chamber warmly thanks Bob for his time and expertise, Joanna for moderating and the Brunswick team for this collaboration.

If you missed this morning’s live webinar, you can watch the recording here to benefit from Bob’s perspectives.