James McGregor is an American author, journalist and businessman who has lived in China for three decades. He is also a professional speaker, commentator for a variety of media outlets and a consultant who specializes on China policy, communications and business strategies. He is Chairman, Greater China, for APCO Worldwide.
No Ancient Wisdom, No Followers: The Challenges of Chinese Authoritarian Capitalism
In three decades, China has risen from near collapse to a powerhouse–upending policy and business conventions across the globe. In this highly readable book, James McGregor offers extensive research that pulls back the curtain on China’s economic power. Ahead of its time when published in 2012, this book explains the policies and plans that underpin China’s rise to a technology, advanced manufacturing and trading superpower today. It also illuminates the economic and political issues that helped influence Chinese President Xi Jinping to pursue his aggressive Made-in-China 2025 and Belt and Road Initiative.
One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business in China
Often referred to as ‘the bible for anybody doing business in China, “One Billion Customers” shows how to navigate the often treacherous waters of Chinese deal making. Brilliantly written by a former The Wall Street Journal China bureau chief turned successful corporate executive, the book reveals enduring and indispensable, street-smart strategies, tactics, and lessons for succeeding in the world’s most important and fastest rising country.
China’s Drive for “Indigenous Innovation”: A Web of Industrial Policies
McGregor’s report colorfully explains the details of China’s foundational program for building the country into the global technology powerhouse the world is dealing with today. He places the landmark indigenous innovation industrial policies into historical, political, social and economic context. Only through understanding this “intricate web” and clearly analyzing the fast growing global repercussions can business leaders and policymakers across the globe seek solutions the political confrontations and protracted trade disputes we are enmeshed in today as China moves ever closer to leading the world in innovation and invention.
James McGregor is a professional speaker who helps audiences around the world understand China’s complex business and political culture. Speeches range from insightful and entertaining keynotes to detailed briefings for executive groups and boards of directors. To enquire about McGregor’s speaking services or book him for an upcoming event, please contact James McGregor.
Recent Appearances
US-China: Bigger Storms Ahead. Jim McGregor, Chairman Greater China, APCO Worldwide
By now everyone understands US-China relations are at their worst in 50 years. There is mutual distrust. And mutual animosity. China complains bitterly that America is trying to keep it down. America, meanwhile, is wary of China’s new-found aggressiveness. Are the world’s two most powerful countries heading for a showdown? If so, how should companies in the West prepare. Stay the course in China? Pare back operations? Or beat it for the exits?
This week our special guest on the Driving With Dunne podcast is Jim McGregor. Jim first went to China in the 1980s. Today he is the Chairman Greater China, APCO Worldwide, a company that solves problems for firms operating in the Chinese arena. Jim knows China. And he knows business. Jim is also the author of the best-selling book, One Billion Customers. Let’s listen to his take on where the US-China relationship is headed. https://www.spreaker.com/episode/us-china-bigger-storms-ahead-jim-mcgregor-chairman-greater-china-apco-worldwide–59010001
2024: A crucial year for US-China relations
Xi Jinping and Joe Biden have exchanged greetings to mark the start of the new year, noting the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said cooperation between China and the US is an imperative. Nevertheless, many potential obstacles stand in the way of a smooth relationship, as James McGregor, Chairman of APCO Worldwide’s Greater China region, explains in this podcast. The host is Duncan Bartlett, Editor of Asian Affairs. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1669327/episodes/14277881-2024-a-crucial-year-for-us-china-relations
Prognostications for the US-China Relationship in the Year of the Dragon
“Business needs to be a bridge. Why do most foreign businesspeople working in China have a more positive view of China? Because their view comes from the Chinese people they work with every day. From the relationships they have, the trust they have with these people, and the admiration they have for their hard work and intelligence. That is my view also from the hundreds of people I have worked with. We must focus on that, and we have to keep that bridge strong because that is one of the last win-win ties we have.” https://page.org/blog/year-of-the-dragon/
10/1/2025 China’s EV Supremacy Raises National Security Concerns for the US
Over the past two decades, China has risen from imitator to innovator, advancing rapidly in new energy, robotics, batteries and drones—and related military power. “We can’t block China from technology,”…
8/19/2025 How Much Has Trump Changed His Position on China?
President Donald Trump came into office with tough talk on China, including promises to enact huge tariffs on China and erect a new trade regime, “aggressive new restrictions” on Chinese ownership of…
NYT 12/17/24 Tom Friedman “How Elon Musk and Taylor Swift Can Resolve U.S.-China Relations”
“I just spent a week in Beijing and Shanghai, meeting with Chinese officials, economists and entrepreneurs, and let me get right to the point: While we were sleeping China took…
NYT 4/2/25 Tom Friedman “I Just Saw the Future. It Was Not in America”
“Here is how Jim McGregor, a business consultant who lived in China for 30 years, explained it to me: Big U.S. multinationals used to go to China and do a…
US-China: Bigger Storms Ahead. Jim McGregor, Chairman Greater China, APCO Worldwide
By now everyone understands US-China relations are at their worst in 50 years. There is mutual distrust. And mutual animosity. China complains bitterly that America is trying to keep it…
2024: A crucial year for US-China relations
Xi Jinping and Joe Biden have exchanged greetings to mark the start of the new year, noting the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said cooperation between…
As Chairman of Greater China for APCO Worldwide, James McGregor advises clients on their China business, public policy, government relations and communications strategies. After living in China for three decades, McGregor now splits his time between Minnesota, Washington DC, the Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Beijing and elsewhere
APCO has been serving clients’ interests in Greater China since 1989. Our Greater China team includes more than 50 professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds, including business, government, journalism, academia and civil society. We cover Greater China from well-established offices in Beijing, Shanghai and and Hong Kong. APCO works with multinational companies, governments, chambers of commerce, issue-based coalitions, multilateral organizations and nonprofit groups to grow, sustain and protect their interests across Greater China. We do this by providing integrated strategic consulting, government relations and communication support in China and internationally.
For more information about APCO Worldwide please see: http://www.apcoworldwide.com
