Insights & Analysis
Current analysis from Brian B. Su on the UFLPA expansion to aluminum and copper, China's critical-mineral countermeasures, the next round of AI export controls, Taiwan contingency planning, and why U.S.–China policy will not pivot after the midterms — plus deeper guides on CFIUS, supply-chain realignment, and partner vetting. Written in plain language for decision-makers.
The 187-Entity UFLPA List: What Aluminum and Copper Mean for Your Supply Chain
The UFLPA Entity List just crossed 187 companies, and CBP added aluminum and copper to its enforcement net. If you think this is still just a cotton-and-solar problem, you are already behind. Here is what I am telling importers right now.
Read MoreChina's Gallium and Germanium Cards: Reading Beijing's Mineral Export Signals
Beijing has turned critical minerals into a policy instrument — gallium, germanium, graphite, antimony. The signals matter more than the headlines. Here is how I read them, and what companies should be doing in response.
Read MoreThe Taiwan Contingency Is Not a Black Swan — It Is a Planning Variable
Boards keep treating a Taiwan scenario as an unthinkable tail risk. I treat it as a planning variable — one that should be stress-tested, quantified, and built into capital allocation decisions today. Here is the framework I use.
Read MoreAI Export Controls: What the Next Round Means for Chinese Buyers and Their Partners
Each round of AI chip and model export controls has been tighter than the last. The next round is coming. Here is what I am telling companies on both sides of the Pacific to prepare for — and the compliance gaps most are missing.
Read MoreAfter the Midterms: Why U.S.–China Policy Will Not Pivot Regardless of Who Wins
Every election cycle, I get the same question from clients: will the next administration change the China trajectory? My answer has been consistent for three cycles now, and it has not changed. Here is why — and what companies should actually be watching instead.
Read MoreWhat Is the UFLPA Rebuttable Presumption — and How Do You Overcome It?
CBP can detain your shipment under UFLPA without warning. Here is what the rebuttable presumption means, which sectors face the highest risk, and exactly what documentation you need to get goods released.
Read MoreA 7-Step UFLPA Supply-Chain Traceability Checklist for Importers
A practical, step-by-step checklist for U.S. importers building UFLPA supply-chain traceability programs — from supplier mapping to documentation packages to CBP response protocols.
Read MoreWhat Triggers a CFIUS Review of a Chinese-Linked Acquisition?
Not every cross-border deal triggers CFIUS, but Chinese-linked transactions face the broadest scrutiny. Here is what actually triggers a review, when filing is mandatory, and what happens if you close without filing.
Read MoreHow to Screen Counterparties Against the Entity List and OFAC Lists
Entity List and OFAC screening sounds simple but is harder in practice. This guide covers which lists to check, how to handle transliterated names and affiliated entities, and what to do when you get a match.
Read MoreA First-Year Roadmap for Asian Companies Entering the U.S. Market
A practical, month-by-month guide to establishing a U.S. commercial presence — covering entity setup, regulatory screening, partner selection, and first-year go-to-market milestones.
Read MoreChina-Plus-One in 2026: Choosing a Second Sourcing Country
The China-Plus-One strategy is now mainstream — but choosing the right second sourcing country is harder than it looks. This guide evaluates the leading candidates and the selection criteria that actually matter.
Read MoreRed Flags in Cross-Border Partner Vetting Most Buyers Miss
Standard due diligence misses the risks that matter most in Chinese cross-border transactions. Here are the five red flags most commonly overlooked — and how to find them.
Read MoreBuilding a U.S.–China Exposure Map for Your Board
Most boards know U.S.–China risk is real but lack a structured framework to assess it. This article walks through how to build an exposure map your board can actually use to make decisions.
Read MoreNeed senior advisory on these topics?
Brian B. Su works directly with decision-makers across the U.S.–Asia corridor.
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