Policy Priorities 2026

AmCham China’s 2026 Policy Priorities reflect the perspectives of our member companies operating across China. With high-level engagement anticipated between the US and Chinese governments this year, 2026 presents an encouraging opportunity to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and build on the positive momentum from the constructive meeting in Busan in late 2025. At the same time, concerns about China’s economic growth have emerged as AmCham China’s leading business challenge for the first time, highlighting the importance of a thriving business environment.

These priorities have been developed directly from member discussions and guide our engagement and advocacy with the US and Chinese governments, and other key stakeholders, over the next 12 months.

AmCham China is available and willing to serve as a resource to both the US and Chinese governments in communicating the challenges and opportunities our member companies encounter.

Click the download button below for the 2026 Policy Priorities!

AmCham China’s 2026 Policy Priorities

Priority One: US-China Trade and Bilateral Relations

Key Issues –

• Tariff escalation, expanding export controls, and policy unpredictability on both sides remain the top concern for AmCham China member companies across all sectors.
• Frequent and sudden policy shifts are causing US corporate headquarters to lose confidence in China as a long-term investment destination, with many companies deferring capital decisions pending indications of greater stability.

Recommendations –

• Limit Controls on Trade: While both governments have the right to apply export controls, tariffs, and supply chain measures, these should be narrowly targeted at genuine national security priorities to preserve the benefits of deeply integrated economic relationships.
• Keep Business Separate from Political Tensions: Both governments should ensure that companies are not placed in a position to bear the cost of bilateral political tensions.
• Provide Policy Reassurance: Both governments should consider the cumulative impact of trade and investment measures on businesses and provide timely guidance that supports long-term planning.

Priority Two: Policy Clarity and Consistent Enforcement

Key Issues –

• AmCham China member companies consistently identify the gap between stated Chinese policy intent at the national level and actual implementation at the provincial and local levels as a critical operational challenge. Unclear regulatory boundaries pose difficulties for business confidence in planning, investment, and compliance.

Recommendations –

• Ensure Consistent Policy Implementation: AmCham China encourages the Chinese government to enhance consistency in the application of national policies at the provincial and local levels.
• Engage Stakeholders Early: AmCham China encourages the Chinese government to continue the practice of sharing draft regulations for public consultation before finalization and allow a reasonable adjustment period before new requirements take effect.

Priority Three: Fair Market Access and Equal Treatment

Key Issues –

• AmCham China’s member companies continue to face challenges in competing on equal terms across procurement, regulation, data governance, and intellectual property protection. China’s government procurement market totaled approximately RMB 3.38 trillion (US $471 billion) in 2024, and the September 2025 Notice on Implementing Domestic Product Standards and Related Policies in Government Procurement is a welcome step. However, full implementation will take years. This leaves US companies in technology, medical devices, healthcare, and other sectors navigating amidst uncertainty, particularly around the definition of “domestic products” and their 20% price evaluation advantage pending product-specific standards that have yet to be finalized.

Recommendations –

• Ensure Equal Treatment in Procurement: AmCham China encourages the Chinese government to fully implement the equal treatment principles in the Foreign Investment Law and the Notice on Implementing Domestic Product Standards and Related Policies in Government Procurement, with criteria applied consistently at all levels of government.
• Develop Standards through Inclusive Consultation: AmCham China encourages the transparent development of product-specific standards for domestic products, with meaningful input from AmCham China and its member companies, and allowing sufficient transition time.
• Provide Clear Regulatory Guidance and Strengthen IP Protections: AmCham China encourages the Chinese government to develop data governance and cybersecurity frameworks that are clear and proportionate, and to continue progress on intellectual property protection and alignment of review and approval processes with international standards.

Priority Four: People-to-People and Government-to-Government Exchanges

Key Issues –

• High-level engagement has shown encouraging signs, yet working-level government access and people-to-people channels remain well below pre-pandemic levels. Rebuilding these channels at every level is essential for informed policymaking and a stable bilateral relationship.

Recommendations –

• Foster Direct Engagement at the Working Level: Both governments are encouraged to complement high-level diplomatic interactions with regularized dialogue, including agency exchanges, industry roundtables, and business-government communications.
• Expand Legislative and Official Exchanges: Both governments are encouraged to facilitate more visits by legislators and officials in both directions, and foster better-informed and grounded policymaking on both sides.
• Facilitate Business and Professional Travel: Both governments are encouraged to continue improving visa access and travel facilitation for business professionals, academics, and other exchange participants.
• Invest in People-to-People Channels: Both governments are encouraged to support academic, cultural, and civil society exchanges as a long-term investment in mutual understanding and bilateral stability.

Priority Five: Consumption and Domestic Market Recovery

Key Issues –

• As evidenced in AmCham China’s 2026 China Business Climate Survey Report, concerns about slowing economic growth have emerged as the leading business challenge among our members for the first time, surpassing US-China relations. Member companies are well-positioned to contribute to China’s consumption growth goals and welcome policy frameworks that enable their participation.

Recommendations –

• Boost Domestic Consumption: AmCham China encourages the Chinese government to develop specific, measurable policies supporting household purchasing power and consumer confidence, with frameworks that enable foreign enterprise participation.
• Support Market-Based Pricing: AmCham China encourages policies that allow market competition to drive pricing in healthcare, consumer goods, and food, supporting both consumer choice and sustainable business investment.