China News Brief — September 9, 2025
Key Developments
U.S. Lawmakers to Visit China Later in the Month
A bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives, led by Rep. Adam Smith, plans to visit China. The visit takes place amid a backdrop of strained relations over trade, technology, cybersecurity, and Taiwan. Reuters
Strong Business Sentiment Decline Among U.S. Firms Operating in China
In a survey by AmCham Shanghai, only 41% of U.S. companies expressed optimism about their five-year outlook in China—this is the lowest since the survey’s start (1999). Primary concerns cited are political tensions, steep domestic competition, and China’s economic slowdown. Reuters
“Breakingviews” Commentary on U.S.–China Deal Prospects
Analysis from Reuters points out that while the White House under Trump seems eager for a deal with Beijing, structural frictions—tariffs, unmet promises, uncertainty—make any substantive agreement difficult. Reuters
The French luxury brand Dior has been fined for violating user data protection regulations in Shanghai.
Implications
The upcoming U.S. delegation signals a desire to maintain diplomatic channels even amid tensions. China likely sees such visits as opportunities to manage external perceptions and reinforce its agenda.
U.S. firms in China are demoralized by policy risk and competitiveness concerns. Firms should prepare for continued regulatory volatility and factor political risk more heavily into planning.
