Testing times ahead for Chinese investment in US

The road for Chinese companies to invest in the United States could still be bumpy this year even though the two countries sought to ease their economic disputes and agreed not to engage in a trade war, experts said.

Chinese companies could face much lengthier and more complex procedures to have their merger and acquisition deals reviewed and approved by the US government and the increasing uncertainty could prompt them to look away from the US as an investment destination in the short term, according to lawyers who offer legal advice and services to Chinese companies.

"There's been great concern expressed by Chinese companies about whether or not it's worth the effort (investing in the US) ... If it's not going to be seen favorably from the beginning then they'll look elsewhere to figure out another place to invest," said Wendy Wysong, a partner of London-based law firm Clifford Chance, who practices in Hong Kong.