Rising US-China tensions top concerns of American firms in China, US trade group finds
AmCham China survey, conducted in weeks before and after Trump’s election, finds concerns over deteriorating relations have not been this high since Trump’s first term
Among American companies operating in China, US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has coincided with growing concerns about a further deterioration in relations between the world’s two largest economies, according to findings outlined in the annual survey report of a US business lobby.
In all, 51 per cent of 368 member companies believed that the bilateral relationship could continue to deteriorate in 2025, the highest percentage in five years, according to the report from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in China, which was based on a survey conducted from October 21 to November 15, spanning a four-week period that overlapped with Trump’s November 5 election.
And 63 per cent of respondents ranked it as one of their five greatest business challenges for 2025, up from 61 per cent in the previous poll.
“US-China relations remain the most consequential bilateral dynamic in the world today, and understanding the perspectives of our members has never been more important,” AmCham China chair Alvin Liu said. “A stable and constructive relationship, grounded in economic and trade ties, is critical not only for the prosperity of our two nations but also for global economic stability.”
Michael Hart, AmCham China president, said it was “fairly good” that no major actions against China were immediately announced as part of the “America first” policy directive that the White House unveiled on Monday.
Most US departments, besides the secretary of state, do not yet have a confirmed cabinet official. “We certainly want to know who will be in charge of China policy in the upcoming administration,” Hart noted.
