When Commerce Becomes Coercion: Navigating Weaponized Interdependence

Hybrid

Victor Cha, Paul Heer, and Leslie Vinjamuri discuss how major powers are turning economic interdependence into a geopolitical tool and how other countries can respond.

Photograph of Chinese flag in front of shipping containers

Mar

Noah Berger / AP

Speakers

Victor Cha
Paul Heer
Leslie Vinjamuri

Date and Time

Mar 24: 2:00 - 3:00 pm CDT

Doors Open: 1:45 PM

Location

Chicago Council Conference Center, 130 E Randolph Street; or via YouTube

Who Can Attend

For All

REGISTRATION

This event is open to the public.

About This Event

Economic interdependence was once seen as a source of stability. Today, major powers are turning it into a weapon. China uses market access and supply chains to coerce countries and companies into political compliance, and the United States has responded in kind, leaving governments and businesses caught in the middle. What distinguishes this economic coercion from traditional sanctions or trade policy? How can countries and firms protect themselves when trade becomes a geopolitical tool? Join Victor Cha and Paul Heer in conversation with Leslie Vinjamuri as they examine how economic statecraft is being weaponized and what can be done to counter it.

Copies of Victor Cha’s book, “China’s Weaponization of Trade: Resistance through Collective Resilience,” will be available for sale and signing at the program.

About the Speakers

Victor Cha

President, Geopolitics & Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Victor Cha is president of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He is also a distinguished university professor and professor of government at Georgetown University. He formerly served as a director for Asian affairs on the National Security Council from 2004 to 2007.

Paul Heer

Senior Nonresident Fellow, Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy

Prior to joining the Council as a senior nonresident fellow, Paul Heer served for 30 years as a specialist on East Asian affairs in the US intelligence community. He also served on the staff of the president's daily brief and as a member of the senior analytic service at the CIA before becoming the national intelligence officer for East Asia.

Leslie Vinjamuri

President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She is Professor of Practice in International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS University of London.