American Interests in the Asia Pacific:  Trade, Geopolitics, and Relations with China in the Trump Era

Mr. Mullen will briefly summarize the history of American involvement in the region, its importance economically and strategically, the purpose of the US “pivot” or “rebalance” and the TPP, the role of economic, security and financial infrastructure, APEC’s goal of a FTAAP, the rise of China, and other ongoing trade negotiations including RCEP.  With TPP off the table for the foreseeable future, he then will consider possible paths forward for the US, the other 11 TPP countries, non-TPP “allies” such as Korea, and influential countries from Indonesia to India, as all weigh the draw of Chinese markets and concerns with Chinese hegemony.

John Mullen is a Senior Advisor at McLarty Associates, an international strategic advisory firm in Washington and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, teaching a course on trade in the Asia Pacific.  At McLarty, he advises clients on trade and investment in the Asia Pacific, with a particular focus on Australia and New Zealand, but he also offers clients expertise from a global career in law, business and government.

Mr. Mullen served as President and CEO of the US-New Zealand Council from 2004 through 2011. In this role, he instituted the US-New Zealand Partnership Forum and led the Council’s part in support of the establishment of the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus, as well as the U.S. entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations. Mr. Mullen was inducted into the New Zealand Order of Merit as Officer (ONZM) in 2010 by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.

Previously, Mr. Mullen served at high levels of the U.S. Agency for International Development, including Deputy General Counsel, Acting General Counsel, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Democracy and Governance, and Assistant Administrator for Private Enterprise. In 1992-93, he served as Special Assistant to Secretary of State Eagleburger for the reform and restructuring of U.S. aid, trade, and investment programs for developing countries. As a result of his government service, Mr. Mullen achieved the highest rank of the Senior Executive Service and highest government honor - the Presidential Rank Distinguished Service Award, presented by President George H. W. Bush. He also received a Presidential Rank Meritorious Award during the Reagan Administration.

After leaving government, Mr. Mullen was the first President and CEO of a $50 million non-profit venture capital fund for Romania; Of Counsel to a Minneapolis law firm; and founding partner of an international financial advisory firm.   He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and received a Master of Comparative Law degree from the University of Chicago Law School, and a BS degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.