China US Photo: VCG

The vast majority of American businesses in China have reaffirmed their commitment to the China market despite challenges, according to a special report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) on Tuesday.

The report once again underscored that American companies "vote with their feet," seeking a more stable and predictable market environment, a Chinese expert said.

According to the report that the chamber provided to the Global Times on Tuesday, 95 percent of surveyed American companies reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining operations in China, and "not a single company reported a complete withdrawal from the market."

The 206-page bilingual 2026 special report has provided a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the business community and valuable insights into the development trends in South China. This year, a total of 426 companies participated in the study.
 
The report highlighted "exceptional levels of commitment to the Chinese market," according to the American chamber.

China has been an important market for many American businesses for gaining profits. According to the report, member companies have collectively earmarked an estimated $13.79 billion from profits in China for reinvestment over the next three to five years.

Despite ongoing trade tensions, China's position as a leading global investment destination continues to strengthen, said the chamber's report.

Among the companies studied, 45 percent ranked China as their top global investment priority in 2025, representing a notable 6 percentage point increase from 2024.

Looking ahead, 75 percent of the participating companies had studied plans to reinvest in China in 2026. 

"Companies are deepening - not retreating from - their engagement in China, recognizing the scale of its market, the sophistication of its innovation ecosystem, and its long-term growth trajectory," said Harley Seyedin, chairperson and president of AmCham South China.

"The US and Chinese economies are deeply interconnected. While differences remain, our commercial ties are substantial and mutually beneficial," said the chamber head.

Seyedin said that "continued dialogue, transparency, and engagement between the two countries will foster greater understanding—creating a more stable environment for trade, investment, and long-term economic cooperation."

The report showed that companies remain highly sensitive to the market and essentially "vote with their feet," seeking a more stable and predictable business environment, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"China's continued openness and stability provide new opportunities for companies eager to innovate... the country's introduction of supportive policies for foreign companies such as reduction of the negative list for foreign investment also serves as an important source of confidence for businesses," Zhou said.

Tuesday's report came just about two months after the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) released a survey in mid-January showing that more than half of US firms planned to boost investment in China, highlighting market resilience.

The success stories of American companies operating in China demonstrate the principle of "mutual benefit" in China-US relations, said Zhou, noting that promoting stable, healthy, and sustainable development of these ties aligns with the shared interests of both sides.