• 28th edition of the American Business in China White Paper presents more than 100 policy recommendations across 37 chapters
  • Members warn that policy uncertainty and uneven market access risk undermining business confidence and long-term investment

Beijing, April 23, 2026 – The American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) today released the 28th edition of the American Business in China White Paper (White Paper), offering a comprehensive assessment of the operating environment for US companies in China and more than 100 actionable recommendations for both the US and Chinese governments.

This year’s White Paper comes at a pivotal moment. Amid a complex economic and geopolitical environment, concern about China’s potential economic slowdown ranks as the top challenge for US companies (64%), overtaking US-China tensions (58%), according to AmCham China’s 2026 China Business Climate Survey. While geopolitical risks remain significant, this shift underscores growing concern about domestic economic conditions and their impact on business performance.

Spanning more than 600 pages across 37 chapters, the White Paper draws on the expertise of more than 200 member company representatives. It includes 20 industry-specific chapters, 10 chapters on industrial policy and market access, and five regional analyses, providing a detailed and practical roadmap for policymakers.

“The American business community in China continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in a complex operating environment,” said James Zimmerman, Chairman of AmCham China. “This year’s White Paper highlights both the opportunities that remain in the China market and the growing importance of economic fundamentals, policy clarity, and fair competition. A stable, predictable, and transparent business environment – in both China and the United States – is essential to sustaining long-term growth, innovation, and mutually beneficial economic engagement.”

The 2026 White Paper emphasizes that while China remains a critical market for many US companies, concerns persist regarding market access and regulatory consistency. With the release of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, there is heightened attention on the broader direction of economic policy. Members note that policies which limit foreign participation or create uncertainty risk undermining innovation, efficiency, and investor confidence.

The report also underscores the importance of maintaining open markets and strengthening the rule of law, including consistent regulatory implementation, transparent policymaking, and robust intellectual property protection.

Revealed for the first time in the White Paper are AmCham China’s 2026 Policy Priorities, which guide its advocacy and engagement over the coming year. They are:

  1. US-China Trade and Bilateral Relations – Limit tariffs and export controls to genuine national security concerns and provide greater policy predictability.
  2. Policy Clarity and Consistent Enforcement – Ensure transparent, consistent implementation of regulations across all levels of government.
  3. Fair Market Access and Equal Treatment – Reduce structural barriers and ensure that foreign companies can compete on a level playing field.
  4. People-to-People and Government Engagement – Expand exchanges and rebuild channels for dialogue at all levels.
  5. Consumption and Domestic Market Recovery – Support policies that boost domestic demand and enable foreign business participation.

The White Paper also contains the Recommendation Scorecard, which tracks progress on key policy issues year-on-year, providing a benchmark for continued reform and engagement. While progress remains uneven, areas such as cosmetics regulation and food & beverage developments showed encouraging improvements.

AmCham China will continue to engage both governments using the White Paper’s findings and recommendations, with the goal of supporting a more predictable, transparent, and mutually beneficial commercial relationship.

About AmCham China
The American Chamber of Commerce in China’s mission is to help our member companies succeed in China through advocacy, networking, insights, and business support services. In addition to our headquarters in Beijing, AmCham China serves our members across China through our Chapters in Tianjin, Dalian, Shenyang, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Across those locations, AmCham China has more than 40 working groups, and holds more than 300 events each year.

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