A delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in China visited Washington, D.C. from May 11-15 as part of their annual "doorknock" initiative. While President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing to discuss various global matters, including tensions in Iran, the AmCham representatives focused primarily on the pivotal topic of AI security during their exchanges in the capital.
Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, shared insights during a phone interview from D.C. about the discussions, emphasizing the significant attention given to AI governance. The organization, based in Beijing and representing roughly 800 businesses, brought a team of about a dozen members who engaged with 11 congressional offices. They also held meetings with officials from the Chinese embassy, the State Department, the Commerce Department, and various think tanks, all aimed at bolstering business relations between the U.S. and China. During their stay, AmCham China co-hosted a "China Business Conference" alongside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which drew around 60 attendees and had been arranged prior to Trump's planned visit to China, according to Hart.
The discussions extended beyond AI, touching on the increasing competitiveness of China—now the world's second-largest economy—in various sectors, especially those tied to national security. Hart noted the persistent national security concerns prevalent in Washington, stating, “We were having good discussions to understand the concerns.”
Specifically regarding AI, Hart mentioned that there is apprehension about U.S.-China competition in this area. “AI compute is viewed as a key factor in maintaining competitiveness,” he explained. He highlighted the ongoing discussions about the necessity of export controls, particularly regarding high-end chips essential for AI technology, emphasizing the urgency from a national security perspective.
Hart pointed out that there is optimism in Washington about the possibility of establishing AI governance frameworks, especially those aimed at mitigating risks posed by non-state actors potentially using AI for harmful purposes. He expressed hope that the U.S. and China could reach agreements to address these concerns, despite broader disagreements over AI cooperation.
Reflecting on Trump’s visit, Hart stated, “The most significant aspect for us was the constructive meeting between Trump and Xi, potentially normalizing relations for American businesses in China.” He noted that foreign leaders from nations like Germany, Spain, and the UK had previously visited China, prompting questions among Chinese government officials regarding how to engage with American stakeholders amid a backdrop of negative press regarding U.S. involvement in Iran.
With Trump's engagement seen as a step toward rekindling relations, Hart expressed hope for tangible trade agreements, though he acknowledged that the primary objective was a successful diplomatic encounter.
Prior to Trump’s trip, U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Maria Cantwell, and Deb Fischer had visited China and reportedly had promising conversations, which Hart viewed as beneficial for maintaining updated communication between AmCham members and U.S. leaders. He also noted that the decreased number of post-COVID visits had led to concerns about members' voices being less represented in Washington.
Ambassador David Perdue also had meetings with Senators Daines, Cantwell, and Fischer, alongside business representatives in Beijing earlier this month, further illustrating the ongoing discourse between U.S. and Chinese entities.
Hart, who has been leading AmCham China for four years and has an extensive career in Greater China, previously held a senior position at global real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle.
