Shanghai has long been on the radar screen for US companies wanting to take advantage of business opportunities. While some reports indicate that US interest in China is waning due to increased concerns about insufficient transparency, weak rule of law, China’s implementation of its anti-monopoly law, and market access, officials at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai indicated otherwise during a recent press conference and “doorknock” with US government officials in Washington.
AmCham Shanghai Chairman and ChinaVest CEO Robert Theleen noted that the anti-monopoly law has injected new levels of uncertainty for China among the US business community. He added, however, that infrastructure building, urbanization and the rise of China’s middle class means “that China provides a platform for American industry never seen before in Asia.”
These factors have shifted the view of China as a nation for manufacturing to one of services.
“There’s enough evidence that sophisticated companies are looking to buy three things: geographical markets, distribution supply chain management and logistics, and Chinese branding. Chinese brands are now targets by US multinationals,” Theleen said.
He also said that AmCham Shanghai have not been able to find tangible examples of where US companies have been damaged by Chinese government action.

By Karen E Thuermer
Correspondent | Washington