Business · Companies · 6 hrs ago
US firms expand deals and business plans at China import expo
US companies took more than 50,000 square metres of exhibition space at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, the most of any country or region for an eighth straight year.
The area was 1,500 square metres larger than last year, and the expo was being held for the ninth time.
Six agreements worth more than $650 million were signed when the US food and agriculture pavilion opened.
One Idaho company said its business in China has grown to nearly $10 million from about $500,000 four years ago, partly by developing products for smaller pets.
Some US firms are using Chinese consumer demand to shape products and business plans, including a clothing brand planning more stores in China and exploring AI for online sales and logistics.
Tesla said its Shanghai factory produces a car every 30 seconds, uses locally made parts for 98% of its vehicles, and works with more than 400 local first-tier suppliers.
The expo is also helping companies build longer-term partnerships, with Honeywell saying a project agreed at an earlier expo has become an operating centre and research facility in Tianjin.
The US businesses see opportunities in China, while the Shanghai American Chamber of Commerce said the expo can support trade and constructive relations between the two countries.
US companies had more than 50,000 square meters of exhibition space at the ninth China International Import Expo, the largest area among participating countries for the eighth consecutive edition.
Their space increased by 1,500 square meters from last year, and companies brought new product launches and business plans for China.
The US Food and Agriculture Pavilion signed six cooperation agreements worth more than $650 million on Nov. 6.
Some US companies said expo participation had helped them identify Chinese consumer demand and develop business in the country.
Tesla reported that its Shanghai factory produces a new car in just over 30 seconds and that locally sourced parts account for 98 percent of its total.
- Who
- US companies exhibiting at the China International Import Expo, including Tommy Hilfiger, Tesla and Honeywell.
- What
- They expanded exhibition space, presented new products and pursued business plans and partnerships in China.
- When
- At the ninth expo in 2026; the US Food and Agriculture Pavilion signed six agreements on Nov. 6.
- Where
- The China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China.
- Why
- Companies said the expo helped them showcase products, understand Chinese market demand and connect with customers and business partners.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Certainly Buy first exhibited at the expo, when its China business mainly involved exports of alfalfa and other feed for large animals.
Tommy Hilfiger’s 2026 New Year collection made its global debut at the eighth expo.
The US Food and Agriculture Pavilion signed six cooperation agreements worth more than $650 million.
US companies had more than 50,000 square meters of exhibition space, 1,500 square meters more than the previous year.
- US exhibition space
- More than 50,000 square meters
- Increase from last year
- 1,500 square meters
- US pavilion agreements
- Six, worth more than $650 million
- Certainly Buy China business
- Nearly $10 million, 20 times its level four years earlier
- Tesla local parts rate
- 98 percent
- Honeywell exhibition area
- 500 square meters, up from 50 square meters at its first expo
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What people are saying
The expo brings together global brands, innovative ideas and cooperation opportunities.
Compared with the US market, parrot species in the Chinese market are generally smaller in size and have smaller beaks, so we have introduced more finely portioned packaging, as well as bird-specific probiotics and coat-enhancing formulas.
A first launch or signing at the expo can become the starting point for long-term cooperation, and continue to generate new projects and applications as needs and technology develop, and this is the expo’s spillover effect.
US companies see real opportunities in the Chinese market.