In a significant address to business and government leaders in Beijing, U.S. Ambassador David Perdue articulated growing international concerns regarding China’s expanding manufacturing supremacy while advocating for equitable trade relations between the world’s two largest economies. Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce in China’s annual gathering on Thursday, the Trump-appointed diplomat acknowledged China’s remarkable transformation into a global manufacturing powerhouse but emphasized the detrimental effects of its export policies on industrial sectors and employment worldwide.
Ambassador Perdue’s remarks highlighted the fundamental tension in Sino-American economic relations, noting that while China has substantially benefited from international free trade agreements, American enterprises continue encountering substantial market access barriers within China. The ambassador explicitly stated that the United States seeks neither confrontation nor trade warfare but insists on establishing mutually beneficial, balanced commercial exchanges characterized by fairness and reciprocity.
This diplomatic communication occurs against the backdrop of previously escalating tariff impositions, wherein both nations engaged in retaliatory trade measures that drove import duties to unprecedented levels before agreeing to successive temporary suspensions. The current détente follows the October agreement between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific nations summit in South Korea, which established a one-year pause in tariff escalations.
Looking toward future diplomatic engagements, Perdue confirmed ongoing preparations for President Trump’s anticipated visit to China in 2026, concurrently revealing expectations for President Xi to undertake an official visit to the United States within the current year. While President Trump has previously suggested a potential April visit to China, both governments have maintained cautious ambiguity regarding specific dates, reflecting the complex nature of ongoing negotiations.