Paris: The New Switzerland
Wharton alumni and leaders shared insights at the Asia Society France Summer Summit, held in Paris.
"We designed Paris as a place to transcend binaries — beyond ‘hawk’ or ‘dove,’ beyond capital-to-capital talking points. China’s decisions now shape supply chains, tech standards, and climate outcomes worldwide. You need a room where that complexity can be explored with rigor — and without theatrics."
— Duncan Clark, founding trustee and co-chair of Asia Society France
In Liu Cixin’s Three-Body Problem, survival hinges on navigating three competing forces. Today, geopolitics is similarly shaped by the United States, China, and the European Union. Although Europe cannot match the hard power of Washington or Beijing, Paris has evolved into neutral ground, providing a space where rivals can engage and test ideas without the usual political pressure.
The Asia Society Summer Summit this summer in Paris highlighted this role, positioning the city as a platform to discuss complex global issues calmly and constructively.
The summit exemplifies Paris’ unique position as a setting for nuanced, sober dialogue on international relations and global challenges.
Summary: Paris is emerging as a neutral hub, fostering rigorous dialogue on global geopolitics where East and West convene beyond traditional power struggles.