In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes back Crystal Tai. Crystal is a journalist, cultural strategy researcher, and Managing Partner at Nüora Global Advisors. Formerly Senior Managing Editor at Jing Daily, her work explores how changing values + consumer behaviors, and social movements shape business trends and global markets.

In this episode, Crystal shares her insights on the latest developments in China’s sportswear and athleisure markets, including the ongoing popularity of Lululemon, the rise of niche sports labels, and emerging winterwear trends as the season approaches. She also provides an update on Chinese travel patterns in the post-COVID era, assesses overall consumer sentiment, and offers her take on Starbucks’ challenges in the Chinese market.

As always, Crystal brings her sharp reporting and deep understanding of Chinese consumer culture to the conversation—plus, a light-hearted discussion on Taylor Swift’s engagement and its reception among Chinese fans. Enjoy!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

· How Lululemon continues to perform in China and key takeaways from its recent Q2 report.

· The rise of niche sports brands and new trends in the sports and athleisure market.

· Winterwear and winter sports trends to watch as the season kicks off.

· Post-COVID travel patterns and evolving consumer behaviors in China.

· Current Chinese consumer sentiment and what it means for global brands.

· Starbucks’ challenges in China and whether the brand can bounce back.

· A fun look at celebrity news—Taylor Swift’s engagement—and its impact in China.

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