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
Inside Asia Podcast: “Contemplating the Future of US-China Relations”
Talk delivered for the U.S-Asia Law Institute, NYU School of Law: “U.S.-China Business Relations – Can’t Decouple”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFzV76aVRi0
Some prominent members of the Trump administration seek to decouple the U.S. and Chinese economies with the stated goals of ending U.S. dependence on cheap Chinese manufacturing, bringing factory jobs home, and reducing theft of American IP. Are they closer to their goal after two years of punitive tariffs, successive sanctions targeting senior Chinese officials and Chinese companies, and verbal attacks on China’s Communist Party as a “malign actor” and existential threat to the United States? And what have been the effects of China’s reciprocal tariffs and efforts to end its dependence on imported technology? One of the most authoritative voices in the American business community in China, James McGregor, will talk about how companies continue to do business in China amidst the storm and why decoupling is so hard.
The Negotiation Podcast: The Future of TikTok & WeChat, What We Always Get Wrong About China, & Made In China 2025
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
