#5SmartReads - December 2, 2021

Hitha on crafting, China, and a looming civil war

Courage vs. coddling with China (Axios)

Peng Shuai’s disappearance - and suspicious reappearances - is forcing the world to take public stands on doing business in China that they previously did quietly and under the cover of other chaotic news stories.

The WTA has taken one of the most forceful stands, suspending tournaments in China for 2022 and potentially beyond.

Ray Dalio - famed investor and doomsday predictor - is on the other side and likens China to a “strict parent.”

It’s no surprise, given that he raised about $1.25B from Chinese investors in his third fund.

Where do you stand on this? I’m somewhere in between, but closer on the side of the WTA. Our company has critical vendors in China and as much as I’d like to avoid it, many of the goods and products we purchase are produced in China. Our micro actions are dependent on what happens from a macro level.