Dear Colleagues:

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is an inter-agency committee “authorized to review transactions that could result in control of a U.S. business by a foreign person (‘covered transactions’) in order to determine the effect of such transactions on the national security of the United States.” But what kind of foreign ownership would constitute a security concern?

In 2012 the U.S. House Intelligence Committee raised concerns about “the counterintelligence and security threat posed by Chinese telecommunications companies doing business in the United States.” To some, this recalled concerns about Japanese investment in the United States in the 1980s. The Obama administration has sought to assure Asian investors that the process involves no bias against them, and is designed “to remain true to the United States’ open investment commitment.” Is that true? A prolific scholar who speaks both Mandarin and Japanese, Professor Webster has testified to Congress about China’s implementation of WTO rulings. He brings rare perspective to this intersection of economics and national security policy.

All best regards,
Joe White
Luxenberg Family Professor of Public Policy and Director, Center for Policy Studies

About Our Guest

Timothy Webster is an Assistant Professor of Law and Director of East Asian Legal Studies at the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. His scholarship addresses the intersections of international law and the domestic legal systems of East Asia, appearing most recently in the Columbia, Michigan, and Penn journals of international law. He has presented his research in Mandarin and Japanese to audiences around the world. In January, 2014, he testified before Congress on China’s implementation of WTO rulings.

Professor Webster started his academic career at Yale Law School, and also worked at its China Law Center, designing legal reform projects with public interest lawyers, academics and judges in the PRC. Since joining the Case Western Reserve University law faculty in 2012, he has been recognized for his research (Taiwan Fellowship, 2012), teaching (Fulbright Specialist, 2013) and service (Dean’s Distinguished Service Award, 2013). Previously, he practiced international dispute resolution in the New York and Tokyo offices of Morrison Foerster, and clerked for Judge Joseph Tauro, of the United States District Court, in Boston.

Where We Meet

Mather House is located next to the Thwing student center two buildings to the right of Kelvin Smith Library on Euclid Avenue. Please enter the front door to Mather House and turn right. Mather House Room 100 is at the end of the hall.

Parking Possibilities

The most convenient parking is the lot underneath Severance Hall. We regret that it is not free. From that lot there is an elevator up to street level labeled as for the Thwing Center.

Friday Lunch Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

April 18: Is Cleveland Dying? With John A. Begala, Executive Director, Center for Community Solutions.

April 25: Pope Francis: So Far. With Paul V. Murphy, Professor of History and Director, Institute of Catholic Studies, John Carroll University