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President Xi Jinping is asking former CEO Howard Schultz of Starbucks to assist restore U.S.-Chinese relations which have plunged to their lowest stage in many years amid a tariff warfare and pressure over know-how and safety.
A letter from Xi to Schultz reported Friday by the official Xinhua News Agency was a uncommon direct communication from China’s paramount chief to a international enterprise determine. Schultz opened Starbucks’ first China outlet in 1999 and is a frequent customer.
Xi wrote to Schultz “to encourage him and Starbucks to continue to play an active role in promoting Chinese-U.S. economic and trade cooperation and the development of bilateral relations,” Xinhua reported. No textual content of the letter was launched.
Xinhua gave no indication whether or not the letter mirrored an initiative to ask American company leaders to assist change coverage after President-elect Joe Biden takes workplace subsequent week.
Economists and political analysts say Biden is more likely to attempt to revive cooperation with Beijing over North Korea and different political points. But few adjustments on commerce are anticipated on account of widespread frustration in Washington over China’s human rights file and accusations of know-how theft.
The Cabinet press workplace didn’t instantly reply to questions on what Xi needed Schultz to do and whether or not he contacted different American enterprise leaders.
Schultz, who was Starbucks CEO till 2017 and chairman till 2018, led an aggressive growth that made China its largest market exterior the United States. Starbucks says it has greater than 4,700 shops and 58,000 workers in virtually 190 Chinese cities.
Schultz mentioned in 2019 that he was contemplating working for president as an impartial however later dropped that.
Xinhua mentioned Xi was responding to a letter from Schultz that congratulated the Chinese chief on “the completion of a well-off society” beneath his management, Xinhua mentioned.
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