American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai confident of enhanced trade in years to come

Leveraging its unique and irreplaceable competitive advantages, China continues to attract deep-rooted, long-term commitment from United States businesses, officials said.

The confluence of a resilient manufacturing ecosystem, industrial clusters and a skilled labor force gives China an irreplaceable edge, cementing US companies' long-term presence in the country, said Eric Zheng, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

Founded in 1915, the AmCham Shanghai now boasts more than 1,000 member companies and 3,000 individual members, serving as the recognized "voice of American business in China".

"A stable and predictable bilateral trade relationship serves the fundamental interests of both nations and is undoubtedly the greatest benefit for US companies," Zheng said.

In recent years, the AmCham has assisted US businesses in tapping into the Chinese market, including through international exhibition platforms such as the China International Import Expo.

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The CIIE has become a vital window for US companies to deepen their presence, showcase achievements and expand cooperation in China, said Zheng. He added that the continuous participation of major US-headquartered multinationals such as Honeywell and Qualcomm demonstrates these firms' long-term confidence in the Chinese market.

"Many American companies are 'faithful participants' in the CIIE. Last year, US exhibitors claimed over 50,000 square meters of floor space, ranking first for seven consecutive years," Zheng noted.

The AmCham Shanghai aims to provide a platform for small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises and has participated in organizing the US food and agriculture pavilion for three consecutive years, during which the cumulative intended contract value exceeded $1.2 billion.

Bob Kaldunski, president of the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, is a regular participant in the CIIE. He led the organization to make its debut appearance at the eighth CIIE in 2025.

As current market trends shift toward diversified consumption, the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin has introduced a wider range of products to the expo such as powders designed for soda water and gummy supplements. These offerings represent a significant departure from the preferences of American consumers and distinguish the brand from the habits of older generations in China, Kaldunski said.

Noting that "life moves very fast today, particularly for the younger generation", Kaldunski emphasized the need to leverage innovation to create varied product forms, aiming to meet more potential buyers at the expo.

As a key component of the US pavilion, the state of Idaho partnered with three local companies, Agri Beef, Anderson Northwest, and Dynamite, to exhibit at the CIIE in 2025.

According to reports, Idaho is the third-largest agricultural state in the western US, with exports driven primarily by dairy, meat and specialty crops. China stands as Idaho's third-largest export market. Over previous editions of the CIIE, the state has secured multiple partnerships with Chinese counterparts.

"Every partnership reflects our deep research into the Chinese market. We hope to leverage the CIIE platform to translate Dynamite's 90 years of scientific expertise into tangible support for China's local industry, injecting stronger vitality into the differentiated cooperation between US and Chinese agriculture and pet nutrition sectors," said Xu Ruwei, Asia-Pacific director of Dynamite, which secured multiple orders at the CIIE.

Jason Fearneyhough, executive director and CEO of the Western US Agricultural Trade Association, led six agribusinesses to the CIIE for the first time in 2025.

Fearneyhough described the expo as "exciting", noting that the large crowds on-site revealed significant opportunities. Representing a region encompassing numerous agricultural areas, Fearneyhough said that he would engage directly with front-line buyers at the event, relay their demands back to the US, and strive to expand the footprint of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Chinese market.

China is a dynamic market, and the western US boasts a diverse range of agricultural products. Therefore, the potential for future bilateral cooperation is growing continuously, Fearneyhough said.

As major global agricultural importers and exporters, China and the US, through mutual trust and cooperation, will inject lasting impetus into world economic growth and trade prosperity.

"China and the US are important agricultural trading partners, and agricultural cooperation constitutes a vital component of the bilateral economic relationship," said Chen Chao, director-general of the department of the Americas and Oceania at China's Ministry of Commerce.

"Given our complementary strengths and vast market potential, this mutually beneficial cooperation delivers tangible gains for both peoples. Stable trade relations provide a sound environment for agricultural collaboration, which in turn fosters the healthy development of bilateral ties. With broad prospects for cooperation, China and the US working together will surely inject more positive energy into global food security and economic prosperity," Chen said.

Jim Sutter, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council, has expectations for a continued recovery and renewed vitality in China-US agricultural trade.

Agriculture has long served as a bridge for international cooperation and mutual trust, and China has consistently remained a vital trading partner for US soybeans and a wide range of other agricultural products, Sutter said.

Despite uncertainties in the external environment, USSEC remains committed to advancing trade relations with an open and win-win approach, deepening cooperation with all parties to create long-term value amid stability, Sutter added.

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According to Zheng, the AmCham Shanghai has connected with various US states and industry groups this year, expressing belief that the US pavilion will be bigger, busier and more effective.

He said that with the positive momentum from the leaders' talk and the thaw in bilateral ties, the AmCham expects the US food and agriculture pavilion to deliver stronger outcomes at this year's CIIE.

"There is immense room for collaboration between the US and China, and we plan to stay in the Chinese market for the long haul," Zheng said. He added that recent Chinese policies aimed at boosting consumer spending have opened doors for American firms.

With China's ongoing commitment to high-level opening-up and tapping into its vast domestic market potential, the prospects for US companies in China are set to expand significantly, Zheng said.