Every year, AmCham China leads a delegation of China-based executives to Washington DC. Collectively our delegation represents hundreds of years of on-the-ground business experience in the Chinese market, sent to communicate the Chamber’s positions and influence the conversations on US-China relations in DC.
On Monday, the 2024 AmCham China DC Doorknock delegation, led by Chair Sean Stein and President Michael Hart, touched down in Washington, D.C. for a week of meetings with think tank representatives, members of Congress, various departments of the Biden administration, and the 14th annual China Business Conference, co-hosted by AmCham China and the US Chamber of Commerce.
Day One
The first session of the week was a breakfast briefing by David Finkelstein from the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA). Finkelstein discussed the view from Washington on a number of national security issues, and Stein presented him with the Chamber’s just-released 26th Annual American Business in China White Paper (White Paper).
Following the breakfast briefing, the delegation met with representatives from the Peterson Institute for International Economics, including Senior Fellows Mary Lovely, Martin Chorzempa, Nicolas Véron, and Yeo Han-koo.
Next was a lunchtime briefing at the Hudson Institute hosted by President and CEO John Walters. Walters invited colleagues, including Miles Yu, Senior Fellow and Director of the China Center at the Hudson Institute, to exchange views on issues pertaining to China and the region.
After lunch, the group met with senior fellows from the Brookings Institution, including Ryan Hass, as well as Kenneth Lieberthal and Ryan McElveen.
Day one wrapped up with a welcome reception for the 14th annual China Business Conference at the offices of the US Chamber of Commerce. The China Business Conference, co-hosted by the US Chamber and AmCham China, is the premier forum in the United States, and one of the premier forums globally, for exchanging ideas on US-China economic and commercial relations, including economic, political, and regulatory developments affecting American business in China.
Day Two
On Day Two, our Chamber delegation joined the 14th Annual China Business Conference, co-hosted by AmCham China and the US Chamber of Commerce.
The Conference is the premier forum for exchanging ideas on US-China economic and commercial relations, including economic, political, and regulatory developments affecting American business in China. This year’s conference covered the full suite of issues weighing on the US-China relationship including domestic politics in China, the post-Zero-COVID economy, commercial opportunities and regulatory challenges for foreign business in China, decoupling and supply chain resilience, tech competition, reputational risk of doing business in China, and a broad array of national security issues.
Day Three
After the conference, the delegation enjoyed a reception hosted by the GreenPoint Group at their office. Attendees mingled over cocktails, fostering valuable networking opportunities and discussions on the current business environment in China.
Day Four
On Day Four, our delegation divided into two groups – Washington and Lincoln – to tackle over a dozen congressional meetings on Capitol Hill, advocating for American business interests in China and delivering the 2024 White Paper and the China Business Climate Survey Report.
After a team briefing over breakfast, the delegation headed over to Capitol Hill to begin a busy day of meetings.
Team Washington started the day strong with a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during which Stein presented Schumer with the 2024 White Paper.
Next up was a discussion with Senator Steve Daines (R-MT).
Team Washington then met with staffers from Senator Jeff Merkley’s (D-OR) team.
After that, they headed over to Senator Mike Crapo’s (R-ID) office for a productive meeting with his team.
Following a productive meeting last year, Team Washington returned to meet with Zack Hosford, the National Security Advisor to Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI).
Team Washington rounded out the day of congressional appointments with a meeting with Senator Chris van Hollen (D-MD).
Following a hugely productive day of meetings, the entire delegation reunited for a meeting at the US Department of Commerce with Scott Shaw, Deputy Assistant Secretary for China and Mongolia at the US Department of Commerce. Following an in-depth discussion, Stein presented Shaw with the 2024 White Paper.
The delegation’s final commitment of the day was a dinner at the personal residence of His Excellency Xie Feng, Ambassador of the PRC. After dinner, Stein presented Ambassador Xie with both the 2024 White Paper and the 2024 Business Climate Survey Report.
Day Five
The final day of our DC Doorknock rounded out a busy and productive week. On Friday morning, our delegation visited the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to begin the day with a meeting with Pierce Davis, Director for China at the National Security Council (NSC) and Brendan Kelly, Director for China Economics at the NSC.
Next up was a visit to the USTR office to meet with Terrence McCartin, who serves as the Assistant US Trade Representative for China, Mongolia and Taiwan Affairs.
For lunch, the delegation was hosted to a briefing at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), led by Scott Kennedy. He welcomed over a dozen of his colleagues to discuss various issues concerning China and the region.
The week’s final meeting took place at the US Department of State where the group met with several State Department officials.
After a productive week filled with numerous meetings, the AmCham China delegation concluded by attending a reception hosted by Crowell & Moring. Several members of the expanding AmCham China DC Alumni group were also in attendance. We depart for Beijing with renewed optimism and remain committed to playing a constructive role in the US-China relationship.