Jacob Cooke on Alibaba's AI Bet, AI in China, China E-Commerce Data, and the Canada-China Reset

In this rapid-fire update episode of The Negotiation, our host, Todd Embley, sits down with Jacob Cooke, CEO and Co-Founder of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, for a fast-paced conversation covering the biggest developments in China's e-commerce and AI landscape.

Jake unpacks Alibaba's recent earnings—why he's encouraged despite weak earnings—and breaks down the significance of their new AI business unit, Token Hub, and the Wukong platform. The conversation explores the OpenClaw phenomenon sweeping China and what it means for enterprise AI adoption.

The episode also dives into WPIC's latest annual data report, revealing strong growth across China's e-commerce market and the dramatic platform shift toward Douyin. Jake shares fascinating insights on the pet category—including the explosive growth of live dog and cat sales on social commerce platforms—and highlights other standout trends in nutraceuticals, fashion, and sports.

Jake also provides his read on Canada-China relations following Prime Minister Mark Carney's historic visit, discusses the excitement around Canadian journalists being back on the ground in Beijing, and shares what the diplomatic reset means for Canadian brands like Lululemon, Arc'teryx, and Canada Goose.

This is a must-listen for anyone tracking China's consumer market, AI developments, or Canada-China business opportunities. Enjoy!

Discussion Points

· Alibaba's latest earnings: why Jake is encouraged despite net income down 66%

· Token Hub and Wukong: How Alibaba is restructuring to monetize AI through tokens instead of subscriptions

· The OpenClaw phenomenon: Why it's exploding in China and how cheap, capable models fuel adoption

· WPIC's annual data report: Top-level takeaways on China's e-commerce market (2023-2025)

· Pet market deep-dive: 20.4% growth and the rise of live pet sales on Douyin

· Nutraceuticals surge: 27.3% growth and Douyin overtaking Tmall for the first time

· Canada-China relations: What PM Carney's visit means for business and why CBC journalists being back matters

· Canadian brand performance: How Lululemon, Arc'teryx, and Canada Goose are doing on the ground

· Increased business confidence: Western leaders' visits to China and rising brand interest

· Key message for international brands entering or expanding in China in 2026