US Exhibitors Show Strong Commitment to Chinese Market at Shanghai Expo

At the ongoing 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, U.S. companies have achieved the largest exhibition area for the seventh consecutive year, underscoring a significant confidence in the Chinese market amid evolving Sino-U.S. economic relations. This commitment from American exhibitors highlights their intent to foster enduring ties with one of the world's most dynamic economies.

Since the CIIE opened on Wednesday, the participation of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has garnered considerable interest, with a steady stream of visitors eager to sample dishes prepared with U.S. high-oleic soybean oil. Trade representatives are also converging at their booth for fruitful business conversations.

The USSEC, with a history of 43 years in Chinese commerce, marks its eighth appearance at the CIIE this year. It is part of a delegation of 13 U.S. agricultural organizations showcasing diverse offerings spanning soybeans, corn, dairy, and meat.

In a statement during a recent interview at the expo, Jim Sutter, CEO of USSEC, expressed the organization's overarching goal: "We want to come together to show our commitment to China. We want to ensure they understand how valuable we consider China as a customer for U.S. agriculture and for USSEC."

Recent developments in China-U.S. trade consultations have yielded positive outcomes, with Sutter affirming, "American farmers are very pleased to see this and are eager to contribute in any way they can to advance it." These sentiments reflect a growing optimism among American businesses.

Agriculture remains a central theme for U.S. firms at the CIIE. This year, the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AmCham Shanghai) collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the third consecutive year to co-host the American Food and Agriculture Pavilion, featuring exhibits from 19 participating businesses across a span of 350 square meters.

During the opening day of the pavilion, feed additive company Dynamite successfully secured deals totaling 5.8 million U.S. dollars with multiple Chinese clients. Additionally, agricultural giant ADM established cooperation agreements with leading Chinese grain and oil enterprises, including COFCO Corporation, with total contract values exceeding 20 billion yuan, approximately 2.82 billion U.S. dollars.

Looking back, Eric Zheng, president of AmCham Shanghai, noted that agreements signed at the previous CIIE amounted to 711 million U.S. dollars, representing a 41 percent increase from the results of the U.S. pavilion's inaugural participation in 2023. He expressed optimism about exceeding this figure at the current event.

Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, elaborated on the CIIE as an ideal platform for connecting companies and discovering new opportunities in China. He suggested that American businesses are not solely maintaining their presence but gradually building stronger foundations and expanding their operations through partnerships with local governments.

In a notable development this year, the establishment of the U.S.-China soybean product application value chain innovation center in Henan Province underscores collaborative efforts to enhance the bilateral soybean industry. Sutter emphasized the importance of introducing innovative technology from around the globe to foster goodwill between the two nations.