The Business A new era of geopolitics: Leading when you can't see what's coming
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Mar 2, 2026 
Lord Gavin Barwell, former Chief of Staff to Theresa May, offers swift political analysis. Marco Amitrano, PwC senior partner, brings business resilience and geopolitics expertise. They discuss balancing UK ties with US and China. They explore China’s tech rise, UK strengths in AI and bioscience, tariffs as political tools, shorter planning horizons, and defence and investment opportunities.
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China Visit Framed As Platform Building
- Marco Amitrano described the China trip as building a platform rather than signing lots of deals.
- He said the visit focused on long-term relationship building, productive conversations and a few mutual commitments to develop future ties.
China's Fast Innovation Changes The Tech Balance
- Gavin Barwell and Marco Amitrano noted China's rapid technological ascent and fast innovation diffusion into society.
- They contrasted areas of Chinese lead (green tech) with US strengths (some semiconductors) and highlighted where competition is now uneven.
Tariffs Are Now Political Weapons
- Marco Amitrano observed tariffs have become political tools, not just economic instruments.
- He warned the full inflationary effects haven't yet fed through and businesses will absorb tariff impacts slowly over time.