• The 27th edition of the American Business in China White Paper offers comprehensive insight across 37 chapters, highlighting regulatory challenges, investment trends, and policy recommendations.
  • This year’s report reflects rising uncertainty and provides actionable recommendations for both the US and Chinese governments.

 

Beijing, April 25, 2025 – The American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) today released the 27th edition of the American Business in China White Paper (White Paper), which presents more than 100 detailed policy recommendations – both cross-sector and industry-specific – for the US and Chinese governments. This year’s White Paper includes 37 chapters spanning over 600 pages, and covers 21 industry-specific areas such as healthcare, ICT, finance, education, and agriculture, 11 chapters on industrial policy and market access issues, and five region-specific chapters, including Shanghai, Tianjin, and the Northeast.

 

Drafted by over 100 member-company representatives, this year’s White Paper reflects the lived experiences of American firms navigating China’s evolving regulatory and business landscape. Some of the key themes include:

  • Geopolitical Headwinds: For the fifth consecutive year, US-China tensions ranked as the top challenge facing American companies in China, ahead of regulatory compliance risks and increased competition from Chinese firms. This already challenging environment has only been exacerbated with escalatory tariff measures this month, creating new hurdles for multinational supply chains and driving up costs for member companies.
  • Mixed Investment Picture: Foreign direct investment into China fell 27% in 2024, but nearly half of companies still rank China among their top three global investment destinations.
  • Policy Clarity and Transparency: While 33% of respondents saw improvements in the investment climate, 28% noted deterioration. Members continue to call for clearer, more consistent regulatory enforcement and
    greater transparency on national security-related rules.
  • Efforts Toward Engagement: Both governments are encouraged to reduce aggressive rhetoric, foster people-to-people exchanges, and ensure predictable policy implementation that supports business confidence.

 

“The American business community in China is navigating an increasingly complex and volatile environment,” said Alvin Liu, Chair of AmCham China. “This year’s White Paper captures the voice of our members at a time of renewed trade tensions, rising operational risks, and regulatory uncertainty. We believe that stable, constructive US-China relations, grounded in transparent policymaking and mutual understanding, are not just vital for business success but critical to global economic stability. We hope this comprehensive report provides a clear, candid, and practical roadmap for both governments to support sustainable, inclusive growth.”

 

The 2025 edition of the White Paper also features the Recommendation Scorecard, which tracks year-on-year progress in addressing top member concerns. While progress remains uneven, areas such as cosmetics regulation and certain aspects of banking and capital markets showed encouraging improvements.

 

The White Paper also reaffirms AmCham China’s three Policy Priorities for 2025:

  1. Promote Stability and Certainty in US-China Economic Relations: Both governments are urged to limit export controls and tariffs to essential national security interests to avoid unintended disruptions to integrated
    supply chains and the global economy.
  2. Boost People-to-People Exchanges: Enhanced bilateral exchanges among government and business leaders, students, and academics are seen as vital to rebuilding trust.
  3. Support Foreign Investment with Fair and Transparent Policymaking: Push for clear legal boundaries, equitable treatment of foreign firms, and meaningful stakeholder consultation prior to new regulatory implementation.

 

About AmCham China
The American Chamber of Commerce in China’s mission is to help American companies succeed in China through advocacy, networking, insights, and business support services. In addition to our headquarters in Beijing, AmCham China serves Tianjin, Central China, Northeast China, and Southwest China through our Chapters in Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Across those locations, AmCham China has more than 30 working groups, and holds more than 300 events each year. Visit the Chamber’s website at www.amchamchina.org

 

For more information, please contact:
Mark Dreyer, Marketing & Communications Senior Director, AmCham China
mdreyer@amchamchina.org