Ira Kasoff - Main Interview

China Hands

Ira Kasoff received his B.A. from Harvard University in 1973 and PhD from Princeton University in 1982. During the latter, he spent a year doing research at Peking University as one of the first American students. From 1985 to 2007, Ira was a diplomat, serving seven assignments in Asia with the U.S. Commercial Service, including in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Asia, where he oversaw Asia trade policy, engaged in trade negotiations, and served as the senior advisor to two Secretaries of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez and Gary Locke. Afterwards, he advised businesses on Asia strategy while working at APCO as a senior counsellor and member of the International Advisory Council.
The interview was recorded on the 5th of May, 2023, which is of importance to consider in the context of our discussion of US-China technological competition and government-to-government, business, and academic exchanges.