Speaker Craig Allen, President, US-China Business Council

Together with the Lansing Economic Club, we are pleased invite Craig Allen to share his thoughts on the future of the US-China Business & Trade Relationship. Craig is the President of the United States-China Business Council (USCBC), a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing over 200 American companies doing business with China. Prior to joining USCBC, Craig had a long, distinguished career in US public service. Craig began his government career in 1985 at the Department of Commerces International Trade Administration (ITA). He entered government as a Presidential Management Intern, then became an international economist in ITAs China Office. Craig served as Director of the American Trade Center in Taipei. He returned to the Department of Commerce for as Commercial Attaché at the US Embassy in Beijing. From there Craig went to the US Embassy in Tokyo and was promoted to the Senior Foreign Service. He served the National Center for APEC in Seattle, working on the APEC Summits in Brunei, China, and Mexico, then returned to Bejing as the Senior Commercial Officer. After a four-year tour in South Africa, Craig became Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia. He later became Deputy Assistant Secretary for China. Craig was sworn in as the United States ambassador to Brunei Darussalam on December 19, 2014. He served there until July 2018, when he transitioned to President of the US-China Business Council. Craig received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Political Science and Asian Studies in 1979. He received a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1985.

The Global Business Club of Mid-Michigan focuses on global issues of interest to the mid-Michigan business community. The monthly GB Club luncheons provide outstanding speakers and relaxed networking opportunities. With extensive international experience, the speakers wrap personal insights around a practical and up-to-the-minute approach to conducting international trade.