In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley sits down with David Perez-Des Rosiers, Director of the Beijing Chapter of the Canada-China Business Council (CCBC).

The CCBC has been a cornerstone of Canada–China business relations for over four decades, supporting Canadian enterprises as they navigate opportunities and challenges in China. David shares his perspective on the chamber’s work, its advocacy efforts, and the evolving landscape of bilateral trade and investment.

The conversation also touches on the current state of Canada–China relations, recent provincial-level engagement such as Saskatchewan’s trade mission to China, and the sectors where Canadian businesses are finding the strongest opportunities. David also previews CCBC’s upcoming AGM, an important gathering for business leaders and policymakers to exchange ideas and chart the path forward.

Whether you’re a Canadian business eyeing China, a policymaker, or simply someone interested in international trade, this episode provides practical insights into one of Canada’s most important commercial relationships.

Discussion Points

• David’s role as Director of the CCBC Beijing Chapter
• The role and mandate of the CCBC in Canada–China trade
• Services and support offered to Canadian companies in China
• Recent CCBC advocacy efforts and policy recommendations to Ottawa
• The state of Canada–China relations and signals from recent developments
• Reflections on the Saskatchewan delegation’s visit to China
• Top opportunities for Canadian businesses in China today
• Sectors where Canada has strong positioning (agriculture, energy, consumer goods, services)
• Preview of the CCBC’s upcoming AGM and its significance
• Advice for Canadian businesses navigating China’s market today

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are joined by Nicole Lin, Business Development Country Manager at Tmall Global. This conversation comes ahead of the China Cross-Border Summit in Los Angeles on October 16, 2025, co-hosted by WPIC and Tmall Global.

Nicole shares how Tmall Global is helping brands of all sizes access China’s enormous consumer market without requiring a local entity, explaining how bonded zones, logistics, and social commerce integrations make market entry seamless. She discusses the consumer-first philosophy at Alibaba, the latest trends driving growth on Tmall Global, and which categories—like beauty, wellness, supplements, premium food, and pet care—are seeing the biggest lift.

The episode also covers how international brands can localize, stand out, and succeed in China’s fast-paced digital landscape, plus a preview of what to expect at October’s summit in LA.

Discussion Points

• What brands can expect at the China Cross-Border Summit in Los Angeles this October
• What makes Tmall Global different from domestic e-commerce platforms
• How Chinese consumers discover and engage with brands in cross-border channels
• Why now is the right time for U.S. brands to enter the China market
• The top-performing consumer categories on Tmall Global in 2025
• Key lifestyle trends shaping China’s demand for international products
• Lessons from over 46,000 global brands already selling on Tmall Global
• How Alibaba helps brands localize through data, branding, livestreaming, and KOLs
• Practical first steps for brands that want to break into China

In this episode of The Negotiation, we welcome Emmanuel Poupelle, WPIC Marketing + Technologies’ Director of Growth for Europe, to explore how European lifestyle and health brands can succeed in China’s fast-changing consumer landscape. Originally recorded as a webinar, there were so many incredible insights brought to the discussion that we felt it was well worth publishing as a podcast as well.

Drawing on his extensive experience advising international brands, Emmanuel explains why China’s evolving demographics, shifting consumption priorities, and increasing demand for premium lifestyle products have created a major growth opportunity. We discuss why Xiaohongshu (RED) is essential for discovery and influence, how Chinese consumers evaluate value and quality, and why European “heritage” brands still hold strong appeal.

From health supplements and personal care to mental wellness and outdoor products, Emmanuel walks through the most promising categories—and why brands need to lead with storytelling, lifestyle positioning, and an integrated service model to win in China. Enjoy!

Discussion Points

• What’s changing in China’s consumer landscape—and why this matters for European brands
• The growing influence of Chinese outbound travellers and Xiaohongshu (RED)
• Why lifestyle positioning and heritage storytelling are key to market entry success
• Which health and wellness categories are gaining the most traction
• How services, co-branding, and social commerce strategies can complement product launches
• Timing your entry: why summer is ideal for lifestyle and travel-linked brands
• Where opportunities remain wide open: supplements, clean beauty, mental wellness