On April 1, 2025, WTO Chair at UIBE had the honor of hosting a highly anticipated academic lecture delivered by Professor Wing Thye Woo, a renowned economist and University Chair Professor at Liaoning University, China. The lecture, titled "Reducing Collateral Damage from US Deglobalization Tantrums," was held at Room 102 of the Chengxin Building at 4:00 PM. The event was hosted by WTO Chairholder Prof. Tu Xinquan and well-attended by students, faculty, and researchers, all eager to gain insights into the complex dynamics of global trade and the economic implications of the recent US deglobalization strategies.

At the start of the lecture, Professor Tu Xinquan, WTO Chairholder at UIBE, welcomed the audience and expressed his honor in hosting Professor Wing Thye Woo, a distinguished economist from Liaoning University. Professor Tu briefly highlighted Professor Woo’s notable academic career and leadership in economic research, including his role as convener of the Asian Economic Panel and his past presidencies of key economist associations.

Then, Professor Zhang Liqing, Chairman of the Hongru Financial Education Foundation and Director of the International Finance Research Center at Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE), delivered opening remarks at the 6th Hongru Lecture. Professor Zhang welcomed participants to this forum examining global economic challenges under Trump's new policies. In addition, Professor Zhang stated: "The 'Hongru Grand Lecture Series' has always adhered to the mission of carrying forward the spirit of financial reform. By establishing a high-end academic platform, it continues to drive innovation in China's financial education."

In his presentation, Professor Woo explored the rising tensions and economic fallout of deglobalization, particularly driven by US foreign policy. He discussed how the return of Donald Trump to the political scene has reshaped the US-China relationship and introduced a new political landscape marked by aggressive trade and technology policies. Woo highlighted the economic costs of deglobalization and its far-reaching effects, not only on the US and China but also on global markets and middle-power countries. Through his expertise, Woo illustrated the importance of creating "sensible guardrails" for US-China engagement to prevent further escalation and mitigate collateral damage. He proposed the formation of an Atlantic-Pacific SDG Partnership (APSP), a coalition aimed at maintaining economic stability while fostering sustainable development goals (SDGs) across Asia and Europe.

During the Q&A session, participants engaged in heated discussions on several key issues including the reform of the international trade system, global supply chain security, strategies for foreign investment in China, and the impact of digital currencies on the international financial system with Professor Woo.

Following the lecture, Prof. Tu Xinquan expressed his gratitude to Professor Woo for his valuable contribution to the academic community and for shedding light on the crucial issue of deglobalization. He emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in addressing the global challenges that Woo highlighted during the lecture. The WTO Chair at UIBE is grateful for the opportunity to host such an influential figure and looks forward to future collaborations that will contribute to the understanding of global trade dynamics and the evolving role of China in the global economy.

About Professor Wing Thye Woo:

Professor Wing Thye Woo is a distinguished economist and expert on the economies of China, Indonesia, and Malaysia. He currently serves as the University Chair Professor at Liaoning University and is also the Vice-President for Asia at the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). Woo has had a prolific academic career, holding prominent positions at various international institutions, including the University of California, Davis, and Fudan University. His research spans topics such as Green Finance, Decarbonization Pathways, and Global Economic Architecture, with a particular focus on the efficient and equitable pathways to achieving the SDGs.