About
Ryan Hass, Fellow, Foreign Policy, John L. Thornton China Center, Center for East Asia Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution
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Ryan Hass

Director – John L. Thornton China Center, Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Center for Asia Policy Studies, John L. Thornton China Center, Chen-Fu and Cecilia Yen Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies

Ryan Hass is director of the John L. Thornton China Center and the Chen-Fu and Cecilia Yen Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies at Brookings. He is also a senior fellow in the Center for Asia Policy Studies. He was part of the inaugural class of David M. Rubenstein fellows at Brookings, and is a nonresident affiliated fellow in the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School. Hass focuses his research and analysis on enhancing policy development on the pressing political, economic, and security challenges facing the United States in East Asia.

From 2013 to 2017, Hass served as the director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia at the National Security Council (NSC) staff. In that role, he advised President Obama and senior White House officials on all aspects of U.S. policy toward China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, and coordinated the implementation of U.S. policy toward this region among U.S. government departments and agencies. He joined President Obama’s state visit delegations in Beijing and Washington respectively in 2014 and 2015, and the president’s delegation to Hangzhou, China, for the G-20 in 2016, and to Lima, Peru, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meetings in 2016.

Prior to joining NSC, Hass served as a Foreign Service Officer in U.S. Embassy Beijing, where he earned the State Department Director General’s award for impact and originality in reporting, an award given annually to the officer whose reporting had the greatest impact on the formulation of U.S. foreign policy. Hass also served in Embassy Seoul and Embassy Ulaanbaatar, and domestically in the State Department Offices of Taiwan Coordination and Korean Affairs. Hass received multiple Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor commendations during his 15-year tenure in the Foreign Service.

Hass is the author of “Stronger: Adapting America’s China Strategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence” (Yale University Press, 2021), a co-editor of “Global China: Assessing China’s Growing Role in the World” (Brookings Press, 2021), of the monograph, “The future of US policy toward China: Recommendations for the Biden administration” (Brookings, 2020), and a co-author of “U.S.-Taiwan Relations: Will China’s Challenge Lead to a Crisis?” (Brookings Press, 2023).

Hass was born and raised in Washington state. He graduated from the University of Washington and attended the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies prior to joining the State Department.

Affiliations:

  • East West Center, board of governors, member
  • McLarty Associates, senior advisor
  • National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, member
  • The Asia Foundation, member, board of trustees
  • The Scowcroft Group, senior advisor
  • Yale Law School, Paul Tsai China Center, nonresident affiliated fellow
  • Current Positions

    • Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute
    • Nonresident Affiliated Fellow, Paul Tsai China Center, Yale Law School
  • Past Positions

    • Political Officer, Office of Korean Affairs, Department of State (2017)
    • Director for China, Taiwan, and Mongolian Affairs, National Security Council (2013-2017)
    • Political Officer, Embassy Beijing (2009-2012)
    • Political-Military Officer, Office of Taiwan Coordination, Department of State (2005-2007)
    • Consular Officer, Embassy Ulaanbaatar (2005)
    • Consular Officer, Embassy Seoul (2003-2005)
  • Education

    • Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (2001-2002)
    • B.A., University of Washington, 2001
Vying for Talent
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Vying for Talent Listen to the podcast

Vying for Talent focuses on the role human talent plays in the sprawling competition between the United States and China. Ryan Hass and Jude Blanchette host expert guests to explore how the United States can improve its competitive edge for the future.


Media and Appearances

South China Morning Post June 26, 2025

Neither country will accept a subordinate role. If Trump and Xi miss the moment, the relationship between the world’s two most powerful countries likely will drift toward deeper..."

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South China Morning Post June 16, 2025

Ryan Hass was interviewed by South China Morning Post as part of the Open Question series to discuss Donald Trump’s approach to China and his one-sided ‘bromance’ with Xi Jinping.

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Foreign Policy June 3, 2025

America cuts itself off from global talent at its own peril. China’s leaders will channel anger about the visa decision toward President Trump and will stoke nationalism in the process.

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Sinica Podcast April 24, 2025

Ryan Hass joined an episode of the Sinica Podcast with Kaiser Kuo to discuss the Trump administration’s approach to China, the view from Beijing, and his vision for the future of...

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New York Times April 22, 2025

Xi has devoted a large part of his presidency to building an image as a defender of national honor and a deliverer of China’s national rise. He will go to great lengths to avoid any..."

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The Washington Post April 8, 2025

China’s leaders recognize they are asymmetrically vulnerable to an escalating trade war. But they do not believe they have an exit ramp [and] will not tolerate being publicly pressured..."

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New York Times April 7, 2025

From this vantage, there is little to be gained from capitulating to Trump’s latest demand, because it would not resolve the underlying challenge from the United States. At best, they..."

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Ryan Hass joined an episode of “The Foreign Affairs Interview” to discuss Beijing’s assessment of American power, the prospects for a “grand bargain” between Trump and Xi, and whether...

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