The expert is the CEO and founder of Export Now, a U.S. firm that operates e-commerce stores in China for international brands. Established in 2010, Export Now is the largest off-shore operator of China e-commerce stores, helping brands from around the world in strategy and operations.

– China and US-China relations. Where is China going? What are they seeking in 

   the region? What are the prospects for US-China relations?

– Trade issues. Any prospects for a major US trade initiative? (the reborn TPP, 

   US-EU, or US-UK)? What can we look to from the EU? What about the new 

   WTO Director General?

– China e-commerce and consumer behavior. How can you compete and win in 

  the world’s largest market? How are Chinese consumers different from 

  consumers in your country?

– China Online Vs. Offline The e-commerce market in China is far larger than 

   America’s, and that size has implications for offline migration as well.

– Bad Times For China E-Commerce? China e-commerce is one of the great 

   success stories of the modern era, but there have been a number of events 

   recently that raises doubts about its outlook.

– China’s economy and business environment

– U.S. domestic politics, especially the 2024 Presidential contest

The expert is the CEO and founder of Export Now, a U.S. firm that operates e-commerce stores in China for international brands. Established in 2010, Export Now is the largest off-shore operator of China e-commerce stores, helping brands from around the world in strategy and operations.

In Government, he served as Under Secretary for International Trade in the U.S. Department of Commerce 2005-2007. In that capacity, he served as lead trade negotiator for both China and India and was the senior policy official in the Department responsible for commercial policy, export promotion, and trade negotiations across the globe. He was U.S. Ambassador to Singapore from 2001-05, where his duties included helping negotiate the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

 In the private sector, he served in senior finance and management positions in Hong Kong and Singapore with Edelman, Bank of America, and Citibank.

Previously, he served in the George H.W. Bush and Reagan Administrations, working in the Department of Commerce, Department of State, National Security Council, and White House. He served as Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs 1987-89.

He earned a B.S. from the School of Foreign Service (Georgetown); an M.S. in Chinese Language and History (Georgetown); an M.A. in International Relations and International Economics from the School of Advanced International Studies (Johns Hopkins); and an M.B.A. in Finance at the Wharton School (Pennsylvania). He is a columnist for Forbes.com and has been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and other periodicals.

He is the co-author of “Export Now,” (Wiley) on market entry strategies. He also authored a World War II history book, “Home Front to Battlefront” (Ohio University Press).

He serves as a Trustee of The Asia Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Advanced MedTech Holdings, a medical technologies company, and of SC Health Corp (NYSE). He is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Directors and on the Advisory Board of ECIPE, a Brussels think-tank. He previously served as Steering Committee Chairman of the Shanghai 2010 World Expo USA Pavilion. Lavin served as a Lt Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves.