The Split: Finding the Opportunities in China's Economy in the New World Order

A field guide to foreign business opportunities in China during escalating U.S.-China rivalry. China dominates manufacturing and is the world's largest retail market, but companies outside China face increasing uncertainty navigating rising tensions and China's crackdowns on the tech and education sectors. Shaun Rein, who runs the China Market Research Group and has lived in Shanghai for 25 years, examines where opportunities remain. While China is not essential for all companies and investors, non-politically sensitive sectors still offer long-term potential. The book analyzes how the geopolitical split between the U.S. and China, combined with China's shift toward socialism, affects international firms. Rein argues that corporations in semiconductors and AI should relocate to countries like Vietnam, India, and Mexico. For most other sectors, however, China should remain a primary growth driver even for the largest companies. Drawing on insights into China's national policy reforms and rising middle class, the book addresses international strategy in finance, consumer goods, and automotive sectors. As China approaches becoming the world's largest economy, companies risk losing competitive advantage without informed investment strategies in the country.