Gala 2024
Political Tensions Weigh Heavy on US Companies in China Despite Strong Performance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact in Washington, DC:
Doug Barry ([email protected]; 202-429-0340)
Contact in Beijing:
Matt Margulies ([email protected]; 86-10-6512-5854)
WASHINGTON—August 5, 2021—In the face of a pandemic and persistent trade tensions over the last year, US companies in China reported strong profits and growth prospects in one of the largest and fastest growing markets. This is according to the 2021 Member Survey of the US-China Business Council (USCBC), a trade group representing more than 250 companies, including many of the United States’ most iconic brands.
Nevertheless, companies say their top challenge is the rocky relationship between Washington and Beijing, for the fourth consecutive year. Trade tensions have resulted in reputational damage to US firms, lost sales, shifts in suppliers, and heightened scrutiny from regulators in both the United States and China.
“Many companies feel like they are operating in a minefield,” said Craig Allen, USCBC president. “Candid engagement between the two countries is a good start to re-establishing stability, but we need more of it.”
Companies report that it continues to become more challenging to do business in China. Competition with Chinese companies is intensifying as the market matures, while new rules around issues like data flows and personal information make the playing field increasingly uneven for foreign companies. Tariffs continue to pose a major challenge, and pandemic-related travel restrictions exacerbate political tensions and operational challenges.
This has not stopped US companies from investing more in China for the time being, though. More than 40 percent of companies surveyed are accelerating their resource commitment for the next year; only six percent are curtailing investment. However, China is ranking as a lower priority in company planning over time, the survey shows.
“Other markets may become more attractive over the long term as countries focus on supply chain resilience and pro-business reforms in China continue to slow,” said Allen.
“In the short term, getting back to the table to build on reform progress from the Phase One agreement; removing the tariffs, which harm US interests; and easing restrictions on travel between the United States and China can help get the trade relationship on track.”
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尽管业绩强劲，但紧张的政治局势对美国在华企业造成沉重压力
面对去年爆发的新冠疫情和持续紧张的经贸形势，在世界最大以及增长最快的市场之一的中国，美资企业仍报告了强劲的利润和增长前景。这是根据美中贸易全国委员会（USCBC）2021年度的《中国商业环境会员调查报告》得出，其代表着包括多家美国标志性品牌在内的超过250家会员企业。
然而，受访企业已连续第四年表示华盛顿与北京之间不稳定的关系是它们面临的最大挑战。紧张的经贸局势已经导致美国公司声誉受损、销售下滑、供应商转移以及两国监管机构不断加码的审查力度。
“许多企业对它们的运营感到举步维艰，” 美中贸易全国委员会主席克雷格·艾伦谈到：“两国之间坦诚相待是重新建立起稳定关系的良好开端，我们需要更多这样的接触。”
受访企业称它们在华经营越来越具有挑战性。随着市场的成熟，与中国公司的竞争日益激烈，而围绕数据流动和个人信息等问题的新政策使得外国企业所处的竞争环境越来越不公平。关税依旧构成巨大挑战，与新冠肺炎疫情有关的旅行限制更加剧了政治关系紧张和运营挑战。
不过，这目前还没有阻止美国企业追加在华投资。超过百分之四十的受访企业正在加快未来一年的资源投入，只有百分之六的企业正在削减投资。然而，调查结果显示，随着时间的推移，中国市场在企业规划中的优先级有所下降。
艾伦表示：“从长期来看，随着各国对供应链韧性的持续关注和中国利商改革的不断放缓，其他市场或将变得更具有吸引力。”
“短期内，在回到第一阶段经贸协议中的改革路径的基础上，取消损害美国利益的关税以及放松对中美之间旅行的限制会有助于经贸关系重回正轨。”
