ABOUT

Dr. Spencer Cohen is principal and founder of High Peak Strategy LLC, an economics and research consulting firm based in Seattle, Washington specializing in regional economic analysis, international trade research, and U.S.-China relations. High Peak Strategy LLC works with a diverse range of clients, including ports, economic development organizations, engineering firms, industry and trade associations, and local governments.

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Spencer brings 14 years’ experience in consulting, policy, and economic research. He is a 2021-2023 Public Intellectuals Program fellow with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and affiliate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Washington.

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Spencer is a recognized expert on regional economic analysis, port economic impacts, U.S.-China trade and economic relations, China’s economy, industry clusters, and international trade. Dr. Cohen is a frequent public speaker on issues relating to U.S.-China relations, China’s Belt and Road Initiative, international trade, industry impact analysis, and regional economic trends. He has written opinion pieces in the South China Morning Post, The Daily Guardian (India), Puget Sound Business Journal, and Seattle Business Magazine. He has been a presenter on U.S.-China relations, trade policy, and the Belt and Road Initiative to various audiences, including the U.S. Heartland China Association and Washington State China Relations Council.

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Dr. Cohen has a PhD in economic geography from the University of Washington, where his research examined land markets and local government finance in China. His research entailed intensive use of Chinese language government documents and reports, academic research, and news outlets. He has advanced fluency in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and reading). He is a member of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and actively involved with the Washington State China Relations Council.