Corporate confidence climbs following landmark summit

The constructive and strategic communications between China and the United States have sent a positive signal to global markets against the backdrop of a sluggish economic recovery, officials and business executives said, expressing hopes for expanded cooperation and a more stable business environment.

Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard, told Xinhua News Agency that they were greatly inspired and encouraged by the recent summit between the leaders of China and the US.

The Chinese exposition on economic and trade relations sent a clear signal of firm commitment to promoting high-level openness and supporting the long-term development of foreign-invested enterprises. This, in turn, has boosted the confidence of the US and global business communities in the Chinese market and the prospects of China-US cooperation, Miebach said.

Following the summit, Mastercard sees broad opportunities for its development in China, Miebach said.

Strengthening constructive communication and cooperation between China and the US would not only benefit businesses in both countries but inject greater momentum into the stability of global industry and supply chains, as well as world economic growth, he added.

It is exciting to learn that the leaders had reached important consensus on trade relations, said an executive for European and global supply chain strategy at German chemical giant BASF.

For European companies, stable China-US economic and trade ties mean more development opportunities, the executive said.

Jacky Zou, chairman of KPMG China, said that stable China-US relations mean a predictable business environment, unimpeded industry chain collaboration and broad market space, which encourages companies to invest money in technological innovation and market expansion.

"As a US company with long-term roots in China, a stable and forward-moving US-China relationship and an open business environment are precisely what we urgently hope for," said Alex Gu, senior vice-president of Medtronic.

Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, said that the meeting between the leaders had injected a stabilizer into bilateral economic and trade relations, which would help companies from both countries find better cooperation opportunities in many fields.

Eric Zheng, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, said that the meeting between the leaders has created a favorable environment for the healthy and sustainable development of the bilateral economic and trade relations.

He pointed out that the two nations share broad common interests and immense potential for cooperation, adding that "a stable and improving relationship is what US-invested companies in China most look forward to".

According to the latest American Business in China White Paper released by AmCham China in April, the financial performance of most surveyed companies improved in 2025. A total of 52 percent of the respondents expected to achieve profitability, an increase of 6 percentage points from 2024.

More than half of the surveyed companies still consider China one of their top three global investment destinations, and 74 percent of companies believe that foreign-funded enterprises in their industries receive equal or better treatment.

A survey to be released by AmCham Shanghai in September is expected to show similar results, said Jeffrey Lehman, chairman of its board of governors, in an interview with Global Times. He said that for many US companies the Chinese market remains a key component of global business strategies.