Why US Companies Can't Quit China? AI, Not Just Market Size, Remains Key Draw: Reveals USCBC Survey

A new USCBC survey suggests U.S. companies can’t fully “quit China” because operations there are increasingly tied to competitiveness, not just market access. The U.S.-China Business Council’s 2026 Member Survey, conducted online with 175 responses, found 95% of respondents say their China activities are somewhat or very important to staying globally competitive. Beyond manufacturing scale and serving the Chinese consumer, companies cited using lessons learned in China, tracking emerging competitors, and reinvesting China profits into global expansion. While R&D and competitive intelligence rose in importance, AI deployment was still limited as a direct R&D driver: only 8% cited it as influencing R&D in China. The survey also warns that evolving data governance could shape AI adoption during China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.