Trading Partner Portal: China
Overview
AmCham Shanghai: Focus on Cross-Border Business, Markets Aims to Support Growth in Commerce
CalChamber, September 28, 2021
Trade Overview
According to the U.S. State Department, China has been one of the world’s fastest growing economies over the past several years, and its efforts to reform and modernize have helped transform China into a large trading economy. China is the world’s largest importer of agricultural goods including soybeans, cotton and corn while the United States is the largest exporter, but sales can fluctuate dramatically (Successful Farming).
U.S.-China trade has risen rapidly over the past several decades. Total trade in goods between the two nations has increased from $4.8 billion in 1980 to $690.59 billion in 2022. U.S. exports to China in 2022 were $153.8 billion. Top exports to China included agricultural products, chemicals, computer and electronic products, transportation equipment and non-electrical machinery. Imports from China to the U.S. totaled $536.75 billion in 2022. The top import was computer and electronic products, making up $161 billion of the total.
In 2022, China continued as California’s 3rd largest export destination, with approximately $18.15 billion in exports. Computer and electronic products brought in $4.018 billion, and non-electrical machinery brought in $3.676 billion. This was followed by chemicals with $2.15 billion. Imports to California from China totaled $147.6 billion in 2022. The top import was computer and electronic products making up $48.2 billion, this was followed by electrical equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, and apparel. U.S. Dept. of Commerce
In 2021, China invested $53.7 billion in the U.S., while U.S. FDI into China totaled $118.18 billion (Bureau of Economic Analysis). Chinese FDI into the U.S. supported 119,800 jobs in 2020 and contributed $5.5 billion to expanding U.S. exports and another $1.87 billion to research and development. The top industry sectors of Chinese FDI are software and IT services, industrial equipment, consumer electronics, biotechnology, real estate, and automotive OEM. Select USA
In 2022 in California, the eighth largest source of FDI through foreign-owned enterprises (FOEs) is China. Chinese FOEs in California provided 19,262 jobs through 700 firms amounting to $1.99 billion in wages. The top jobs by sector are: manufacturing, education/health, professional and business services, wholesale trade, and retail trade (World Trade Center Los Angeles FDI Report).
What Governor Newsom’s Trip to China Accomplished
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, October 30, 2023
Governor Newsom Meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, October 25, 2023
Governor Heads to China to Advance Climate Action, Promote Economic Development
CalChamber, October 19, 2023
MOU – Enhance Cooperation on Green Development
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, October 2023
MOU – Enhancing Cooperation on Strengthening Low-Carbon Development and Green Transition
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, October 2023
MOU – Strengthening Climate and Environmental Cooperation
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, October 2023
MOU – Environment and Climate Cooperation Between (CA Air Resources Board)
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, October 2023
MOU – Enhancing Cooperation on Climate and the Environment
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, October 2023
2022 Report to Congress On China’s WTO Compliance
U.S. Trade Representative, February 2023
California Advances Global Climate Leadership Through Expanded Partnership with China
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, April 18, 2022
Chinese Companies Listed on Major U.S. Stock Exchanges
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, March 31, 2022
U.S.-China Commission to Release Annual Report to Congress
U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission, November 17, 2021
Bay to Bay: China’s Greater Bay Area Plan and Its Synergies for US and San Francisco Bay Area Business
Bay Area Council, June 2021
Policy Briefing | 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the Long-range Objectives Through 2035
AmCham Shanghai, March 10, 2021
China-Anchored Free-Trade Zone, World’s Biggest, Nearly Done
Bloomberg, November 12, 2020
China Task Force Report
GOP House Foreign Affairs Committee, September 29, 2020
Two-Way Street – US-China Investment Trends – 2020 Update
Rhodium Group, May 11, 2020
Economic and Trade Agreement Between the Government of the U.S. and the Government of the People’s Republic of China – Phase 1 Deal
U.S. Trade Representative, January 15, 2020
Fact Sheet: Economic and Trade Agreement Between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China: Agriculture and Seafood Related Provisions
GOP House Ways and Means Committee, January 15, 2020
GET THE FACTS: What you need to know about the Phase 1 Trade Agreement with China
GOP House Ways and Means Committee, January 15, 2020
China Marker Profile: Chinese Tourism in California
Visit California
Fact Sheet: Agreement Between the U.S.- and the People’s Republic of China
U.S. Trade Representative, December 13, 2019
Former CA Governor Jerry Brown Launches California-China Climate Think Tank
Politico, September 23, 2019
China to Focus on Imports with International Expo in November
CalChamber, January 26, 2018
Understanding the U.S.-China Trade Relationship
US-China Business Council and Oxford Economics, January 2017
California-China Office of Trade and Investment
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
Read more about the importance of U.S.-China Trade Relations
Trade Missions
Trade Missions
2013 China Trade Mission with Governor Brown
California Chamber of Commerce members joined Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in April 2013 on a eight-day mission to China with a goal to expand trade and investment between California and China by identifying opportunities of mutual benefit.
With more investment deals from China than any other state, California is positioned to capture China’s growing foreign investment.
The delegation traveled throughout China and opened a California Trade and Investment Office in Shanghai. This is California’s first official permanent presence in China in nearly a decade. As ambassadors for California, the delegation took the next step to ensure the state’s leading role in attracting Chinese investment.
Governor Brown Leads Successful Trade/Investment Mission to China,
CalChamber Top Story, April 19, 2013
2013 China Trade Mission Information Hub
April 2013 Press Release from Governor’s Office
California to Open New Trade and Investment Offices in China
CalChamber, February 21, 2012
2013 Trade Mission Blog
- Background
- Day 1: Arrival in Beijing: April 8, 2013
- Day 2: Trade Briefing & More: April 9, 2013
- Day 3: Governor; Investment Forum: April 10, 2013
- Day 4: China-California Dialogue: April 11, 2013
- Day 5: California>ev-China Office Opens: April 12, 2013
- Mission Accomplishments
2010 Asia Trade Mission
2010 Trade Mission to Asia with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
September 9 – 15, 2010
Hangzhou ~ Shanghai ~ Tokyo ~ Seoul
(Click on a city to see the itinerary)
California Business Delegation
CalChamber Joins Governor on Successful Asia Trade Mission
CalChamber, September 21, 2010
2005 China Trade Mission
Strengthening Trade Ties, Building New Opportunities
CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, members of the press and other members of the business delegation six-day trade mission to China to market California agriculture, encourage tourism, discuss intellectual property rights and promote business investment in the state.
“The business and trade mission to mainland China led by Governor Schwarzenegger will serve to strengthen ties and increase economic opportunitiesin the world’s largest marketplace of 1.2billion people,” said Susanne Stirling, vice president of international affairs for the Chamber and member of the business delegation.
Related Artices:
- CalChamber Joins Governor on Trade Mission to China
11-18-05 Alert Newsletter (pdf) - CalChamber Boosts Trade Links on Successful China Mission
12-2-05 Alert Newsletter (pdf) - Tejon Showcases Industrial Complex to Chinese Exporters
12-16-05 Alert Newsletter (pdf) - McWong Technology Helps Shanghai Steel Plant Handle Wastewater
1-6-06 Alert Newsletter (pdf) - Visit Strengthens Chevron’s Established Role in Chinese Energy Sector 1-27-06 Alert Newsletter (pdf)
- Trip Spotlights Fastest-Growing Sector for United Airlines Asia Market 2-17-06 Alert Newsletter (pdf)
Events
Events
2019 Meeting at the CalChamber with Representatives from China
Dinner with Chinese Consul General in SF and Business Community
In March of 2019, the business community gathered at the residence of the Consul General of China in San Francisco, Ambassador Wang Donghua, for a dinner. The group discussed current trade and investment issues between China and California.
CalChamber Welcomes New Consul General of China in San Francisco
On Monday, August 20, the new Consul General of China in San Francisco, Ambassador Wang Donghua, visited the California Chamber of Commerce. The delegation from the Chinese Consulate, welcomed the continued partnership with the CalChamber under the new Consul General’s leadership.
Topics included the importance of trade between California and China and the current trade dispute with tariffs. All agreed on the importance of a process for resolution to be established prior to the upcoming midterm U.S. elections. There also was agreement that raising tariffs results in higher prices to the consumer for the specific product protected and in limited choices of products for consumers. Further, raising tariffs can cause a net loss of jobs in related industries, retaliation by U.S. and California trading partners, and violates the spirit of our trade agreements. Top Story
Tariff on Chinese Imports Clouds Trade/Investment Gathering
As President Donald R. Trump’s intention of imposing tariffs on $50 billion of exports from China loomed like a cloud, the Chinese Consul General, Ambassador Luo Linquan, hosted a reception and dinner for approximately 30 business leaders at his residence on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.The event focused on foreign direct investment into China, as well as China’s outward foreign direct investment, but the President’s pending actions were the dominant topic.
The Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, which also has responsibility for Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, covers 35% of U.S. trade with China.
Attending the March 21 dinner were Northern California government and business leaders. Representatives of several California Chamber of Commerce member companies were represented, in addition to Susanne T. Stirling, CalChamber vice president of international affairs. Top Story
Dinner Celebrates U.S.-China Trade Relations
(April 18, 2017) A dinner hosted by Chinese Consul General, Ambassador Luo Linquan last week celebrated recent trade talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump and Jinping agreed on a new 100-day plan for trade talks that will boost U.S. exports and reduce the United States’ trade deficit with China. See a PowerPoint on China’s economic performance from the event.
The Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, which also has responsibility for Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Alaska, covers 35% of U.S. trade with China.Attending the April 11 dinner were 30 Northern California government and business leaders. Several California Chamber of Commerce member companies were represented, in addition to Susanne Stirling, vice president of International Affairs for the CalChamber.
CalChamber Welcomes Visitors from Consulate General of China in San Francisco
On Wednesday, October 19, The Honorable Mengyuan (Mary) Hao, Vice Consul and The Honorable Yihang Yang, Economic and Commercial Counselor visited the CalChamber offices from the the Consulate General of China in San Francisco.
China Round-Table Dinner
On April 5, 2016 the Consul General of China in San Francisco, Ambassador Luo Linquan hosted a friendly “round-table” dinner to promote China-California relations. Mrs. Susanne Stirling, the CalChamber Vice President of International Affairs, attended the dinner together with other business and chamber representatives, and special guest Mayor Ed Lee to discuss the future of U.S.-China economic and business cooperation.
CalChamber Forum Gets Preview of Topics for U.S.-China Summit
(June 4, 2013) China’s quest to become a global science, technology and innovation leader was the subject of an international forum yesterday hosted by the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Council on Science and Technology.
Dr. Tai Ming Cheung, director of the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) at the University of California, San Diego, touched on many topics that will be discussed later this week in Rancho Mirage, California when U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet.
CalChamber President, Chinese Vice Minister: Foster Strong Ties Between California and China
(July 24, 2012) Fostering business and cultural relationships between the California business community and China was the focus when Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Chao and his delegation gathered at the California Chamber of Commerce International Luncheon Forum yesterday.
Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Chao (left) and CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg.
China – California trade Issues
(December 20, 2012) Mr. Rongquiang Yu visited with Mrs. Susanne Stirling of the California Chamber of Commerce.
They discussed several China – California trade issues, as well as Mr. Yu’s connections with the Chambers of commerce in Quinghai Province and Shandong Province, China.
Chinese Delegation Visits CalChamber
(June 20, 2012) A courtesy call was made by the San Francisco Chinese Consulate General on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, to discuss State – Province Cooperation between California and Chinese provinces, as well as, to introduce key members of the Chinese Enterprise Association – California
Related News
Key Country Contacts
Resources
CalChamber Resources
- China Chambers in California
- China Consular Contacts
- China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
- CalChamber’s Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) page
- Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development Overseas Presence: China
- China Trade Issues
- Obtaining a Certificate of Origin
- Go-Biz Stats: Chinese FDI in CA
Business
Business
- U.S. Commercial Service China
- California-China Office of Trade and Investment
- China Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- AmCham Shanghai Non-Resident Membership Options contact Karen.Yuen@amcham-shanghai.org
- AmCham China
- Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
- China Economic Net – “One Belt, One Road” Initiatives
- China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
- Export Now to China
- Trade Profile
- China Enterprise Council
- China International Import Expo November 2020
- American-Chinese CEO Society
Cultural
Cultural/Educational
- Sister State – Guangdon, China
- Sister State – Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
- Sister State – Jiangsu, China
- Background Notes
- Over 40 California cities have sister cities in china. See a list at Sister Cities International