The International View: My Asian Tour, 2024

I recently returned from a visit to Asia, where I visited Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. The purpose of my trip was threefold. First, I was there to meet with government representatives and officials to discuss trade between countries, specifically to establish trade relations and understand issues surrounding trade and to bring positive changes to our relationships. Secondly, I was there to meet with current members of the Z-Wave Alliance and to recruit new members. And finally, to meet face to face with current engineering and manufacturing partners and establish relationships with new ones.

My trip started in Japan, where within my role as the Chair of the trade policy working group of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) I was able to meet with numerous Japanese government officials to discuss trade and how trade affects our members, and how we want to take a positive view of trade and invite them all to participate in the CES in Las Vegas in January.

The meetings were very successful. The Japanese delegation has very positive views of trade with the U.S. market and is looking forward to partnering with CTA in various capacities to further our mutual goal of free trade between our two countries. As one would imagine, the topic of the U.S.election came up in every meeting. There is great concern about a potential Republican administration and the effects that a “tariff wall” will have on the global economy. Our meetings concluded with us all committed to working through any and all issues that occur after the election. Overall, it was a very positive experience.

While in Japan I was also able to meet with some current members of the Z-Wave Alliance. One member in particular has a very unique solution for “aging in place” senior living facilities to monitor the people and the environment. It was great to see how companies are taking advantage of the benefits of the Z-Wave technology.

Next, it was on to New Zealand to meet with a new engineering partner. You may not think of New Zealand as a hub of engineering activity, but you’d be mistaken. I met with companies that have been in the security industry for decades, that have a strong understanding of the market and how to leverage recurring revenue much more effectively than our European counterparts. They also have strong ties with other markets and economies to take advantage of their location. It is a beautiful country that should be on everyone’s travel list.

Then it was onto Singapore for a brief stop before heading to Hong Kong. Singapore is one of my favorite places in the world, and I look forward to continuing to develop relationships there. Many Chinese millionaires have moved their finances to Singapore as the Asian markets diversify. Singapore has become the new “Hong Kong” for sure.

I met with many companies and Z-Wave members, the conversations were all very similar… first, how can we strengthen our relationships with U.S. consumers, second, how will the upcoming new government effect the global economy and third, how can innovation and partnership solve the first two. The Z-Wave technology, especially, Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR), is being looked at very favorably although there is much work to do to get it to be used in local markets. It is still looked at as a very “American or European” standard. China is also starting to develop some of its own standards for device communication; it is unclear how this will affect the incumbent, Tuya, in the future. The shows were very well attended and there were literally thousands of companies represented. The Covid recovery is fully complete in the Asian market.

I was also able to visit a few factories in mainland China. The rate of change in these factories is astounding. For many years, the Chinese have relied on their population to get things produced. Now, automation is widely used to supplement the worker’s productivity. The embrace of technology and automation is widespread and a model for efficient factories. This change has happened very quickly and has been fully embraced by both management and workers.

My last stop was Taiwan where I met with Z-Wave members and business partners. The discussions were very consistent with my other conversations on the trip, however, there is a wonderful opportunity within the Taiwanese market. Because the electricity and RF frequencies are the same as the U.S., the market there could be very well served by American brands and smart products.

Depending on the policies of the new administration, this could be my last trip to Asia for a while. Over the last 25 years, the U.S. has maintained a leadership position in the world and markets in general. This is in large part due to our attitudes and partnerships with other countries and economies. It has given our consumers a huge advantage over others in the world in terms of the price and availability of products and technologies.

I am proud of the very small role I have played in this shift to a true global economy and am concerned that the next administration will not allow our continued participation in this process. This concern was shared by everyone I spoke with in all the places I traveled to. A free market is viewed as a positive way to lift all people both economically and socially, I hope our leaders will continue to support this idea.

No matter what happens, my team and I are ready to take on the next challenges. If you or your team need help in developing your next product or market, we have the experience and connections to help you meet your goals.