Doug Barry, vice-president of communications and publications with the US-China Business Council, said the CIIE remained a venue for US companies to fill order books for the year ahead despite geopolitical turmoil, Covid lockdowns and weakening domestic demand. “As the largest delegation at the show, US companies are sending a message that they have confidence in the market,” he said. “Growth will continue and government leaders will find ways to preserve the commercial side of the relationship and the millions of jobs in both countries that depend on it.”