A celebration marking the 110th anniversary of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai on Friday, June 6, 2025, became an unexpected forum for airing U.S.-China tensions, as officials from both nations exchanged pointed remarks. The event, intended to commemorate a long history of American business presence in Shanghai, instead underscored the persistent strain in bilateral relations and the deep uncertainty felt by U.S. companies operating in China.

Scott Walker, the U.S. Consul General in Shanghai, delivered a direct critique of the current economic landscape. Addressing the gathered U.S. businesses, Walker asserted that the U.S.-China economic relationship has been "unbalanced and non-reciprocal for far too long." He explicitly called for an "end to discriminatory actions and retaliation against U.S. companies in China," highlighting ongoing concerns within the American business community regarding fair treatment and market access.

Immediately following Walker's address, Chen Jing, a Shanghai Communist Party official and President of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, offered a swift counter. Chen characterized the U.S. Consul General's perspective as "prejudiced, ungrounded and not aligning with the phone call of our heads of states last night." This direct rebuttal emphasized the differing narratives and interpretations of the bilateral relationship held by officials from the two countries.

The verbal exchange at the AmCham event reflected the broader context of a simmering trade war and persistent diplomatic friction between the United States and China. Just a day prior, on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had engaged in a "long anticipated call." According to Trump, this call confronted weeks of brewing trade tensions and a significant battle over critical minerals, and they reportedly agreed to further talks, offering a slight glimmer of potential de-escalation.

However, specific disputes continue to threaten any fragile truce. Notably, a recent disagreement over "rare earths" minerals has emerged, posing a risk of unraveling a 90-day deal struck on May 12. This deal aimed to roll back some of the steep, retaliatory tariffs that both nations had imposed on each other since President Trump's January inauguration. Despite this agreement, broader concerns have persisted, with President Trump accusing China of violating the terms of the deal.

Amidst this volatile environment, American businesses are struggling with a lack of clarity. Eric Zheng, President of AmCham Shanghai, which represents over 1,000 member companies, conveyed this sentiment to reporters. He stated that "many companies had put their decision-making on pause due to the uncertainty." Zheng articulated the primary request from the business community to both governments: "to give us some certainty so that we can plan accordingly." This plea underscores the practical impact of geopolitical tensions on commercial operations and investment strategies.