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US companies are finding China increasingly 'uninvestible', commerce secretary Gina Raimondo says

US companies are becoming increasingly hesitant to invest in China due to concerns over new anti-spying laws, competition from state-funded firms, and the country's economic challenges such as deflation and a property crisis.

businessinsider.com
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China's weak economy, including an unstable property market and weak consumer demand, is posing risks to global markets and economies like the US, according to experts.
China's historical dominance in the crypto industry persists despite periodic crackdowns, with many crypto companies still earning a significant portion of their revenue from the country and maintaining unofficial channels of liquidity; China's economic uncertainty, including concerns about future crackdowns and a collapsing real estate market, can impact global crypto markets.
An economic crisis in China is unlikely to have a major impact on the US due to limited exposure in terms of investments and trade, and it may even benefit the US by lowering inflation, according to economist Paul Krugman.
The risks of China's economic slowdown have not been factored into the markets yet, according to Insigneo Chief Investment Officer Ahmed Riesgo, who believes that the crisis of confidence in China's economy will soon become a major global risk.
Nvidia warns that stronger US restrictions on chip sales to China will harm American companies in the long term, while also acknowledging that stricter rules wouldn't have an immediate material impact on their finances.
The volume of investment guarantees provided by the German government to companies investing in China has significantly decreased this year, reflecting Germany's efforts to reduce reliance on the country and address security concerns related to advanced Chinese manufacturing.
China's economic weakness may pose challenges for developing economies and regions that rely on it, but the US economy is well positioned to navigate these headwinds with its investments and resources, according to US Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo.
China's regulators are struggling to attract global funds to invest in the country's stocks due to a lack of strong stimulus measures to support growth, resulting in a slump in the MSCI China Index and significant outflows from the mainland market.
China's economy is facing a number of challenges, including a property sector crisis, but experts believe it is unlikely to experience a "Lehman moment" like the US did in 2008 due to its state-owned financial system and government involvement in the economy. However, they do foresee a prolonged structural economic crisis.
US trade has shifted away from China due to policies enacted by the Biden and Trump administrations, but US reliance on China-linked supply chains has not necessarily been reduced and consumers have faced higher costs, according to new research presented at a Federal Reserve economic symposium.
China's economic slowdown is causing alarm worldwide, with countries experiencing a slump in trade, falling commodity prices, and a decrease in Chinese demand for goods and services, while global investors are pulling billions of dollars from China's stock markets and cutting their targets for Chinese equities.
A potential economic downturn in China may have implications for other countries, but the impact on the United States is expected to be minor due to limited exposure to China's economy.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has stated that American companies are viewing China as "uninvestible" due to fines, raids, and other risky actions taken by the Chinese government, presenting a bleak picture of American firms' perception of doing business in China.
UBS reports higher than expected profits, job creation in the US slows, and markets rally on weaker economic data and hope for a pause in interest rate hikes. China's factory activity shrinks but at a slower pace, while retail sales increase. There are opportunities for investors in other Asian markets.
Despite efforts by the U.S. and other countries to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, Chinese companies have successfully expanded their presence in key markets such as cutting-edge materials and electric vehicles, making it difficult for countries to ensure their economic security.
China's shadow banking industry, which includes lightly regulated trust firms, is facing financial distress due to the country's economic woes, raising concerns of a potential larger financial crisis that could spread globally. The fall of these trusts could have a domino effect and impact Western organizations that have loaned to shadow banks, affecting the broader economy and stock market. There may be a call for regulatory measures to rein in the unruly shadow banking sector.
Investors are avoiding global stocks with significant exposure to the Chinese market due to concerns over China's property slump and its impact on the economy, causing the MSCI World Index to recover to just 2% below its July-end figure.
Weak governance and poor disclosure practices in China's corporate sector are causing international money managers to become increasingly wary of investing in the country, potentially leading to limited access to financing and higher borrowing costs for Chinese companies in the future.
China's economic challenges and failed rebound post-Covid are causing U.S. investors and businesses to view Chinese exposure as a liability, leading to underperformance in companies with high China exposure and potential bans on foreign devices, signaling a potential decline in China's economic growth.
Despite the risks and challenges of doing business in China, many Western companies still see it as a long-term bet due to its economic potential, but they are increasingly cautious and aware of the hazards they face.
US companies with significant revenue exposure to China are at risk due to the country's struggling economy, characterized by high youth unemployment rates and recent property defaults, according to Bank of America.
China's real estate market downturn, characterized by falling property prices and potential defaults by developers, poses significant risks to Chinese banks, global markets, and Asian economies closely linked to China through trade and investment. The situation has prompted cautiousness among international investors and led to negative impacts on Japan's exports.
Chinese government restrictions on the use of iPhones at work have caused Apple's stock to decline, but investors see this as a buying opportunity due to China's previous restrictions on foreign products and Apple's strong prospects, attractive valuation, and upcoming product releases.
China's economy has consistently outperformed other major economies in the past four years, but the US is spreading false narratives and propaganda to hide this reality, according to John Ross, former director of economic and business policy for the mayor of London. The US has two motives: discouraging foreign investment in China and influencing China's political and economic policies.
China's economic problems are more likely to impact its neighboring countries and Europe than the United States, according to U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo, who emphasized the need for China to address its structural economic issues.
China's weak real estate sector and troubled offshore bond market, coupled with its totalitarian government, make long-term investment unattractive and non-profitable, according to Kyle Bass of Hayman Capital.
U.S. and European firms are redirecting their investment away from China to other developing markets, primarily India, due to concerns over China's business environment, economic recovery, and politics, according to a report from Rhodium Group, although China's share of global growth continues to increase.
China's economy is facing potential decline due to high debt levels, government interference, and an aging population, with warnings of a full-blown financial crisis echoing the 2008 US recession. Failure to liberalize the economy could have long-term consequences, as foreign investments are restricted and the lack of capital inflow and outflow could harm businesses.
Emerging markets, particularly China, are facing challenges such as weak economic activity, real estate debt issues, regulatory environment, and market concentration, while the U.S. market is performing well; however, emerging markets outside of China, like India, are showing promise due to supply chain diversification, infrastructure investment opportunities, and a pro-business government. Other attractive markets include Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
China's macroeconomic challenges, including deflationary pressures, yuan depreciation, and a struggling property sector, could have broader implications beyond its borders, impacting global metal exporters, trade deals, and global inflation; however, investing in China's stocks may offer compelling valuations despite the current downturn.
The Biden administration plans to increase scrutiny of foreign-owned companies' investment plans in the United States, with a focus on national security concerns and potential risks related to China.
China's private firms continue to face obstacles, referred to as "hidden barriers," including unequal financing and market access compared to state-owned enterprises, hindering their growth and development, according to Chinese state media. These barriers, along with the muddied government-business relationship and unfair market access, have contributed to the decline in private investment, while state-owned enterprises have seen an increase in investments. Despite efforts to improve the business environment, questions remain about the effective implementation of measures to boost private sentiment and support the struggling private sector.
China-focused investment firms have struggled to generate returns for their investors, with only four U.S. dollar-denominated venture capital funds established between 2015 and 2020 able to return all the money invested, reflecting a lack of IPOs and the need for alternative exit strategies such as mergers and acquisitions or general partner-led deals.
Pessimism among U.S. businesses operating in China is on the rise, with a record low percentage of firms optimistic about their five-year outlook, according to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, driven by concerns over geopolitics and a slowing economy.
China's central bank has reassured multinational companies such as Tesla and HSBC that it will optimize its policy support after a sell-off in the stock market and concerns over foreign investment, as firms continue to divert investment away from China due to national security regulation and decoupling risks with the US.
The outlook of U.S. companies on China's markets in the next five years has hit a record low due to factors such as political tensions, tariffs, slow Covid recovery, and issues in the real estate market; however, complete decoupling between the two economies is unlikely.
U.S. companies are losing confidence in China and some are limiting their investments due to tensions between the two countries and China's economic slowdown.
Chinese stocks defy regional declines as tech stocks rise, while the 10-year Treasury yield slightly decreases from a 16-year high; US futures tick higher following a 1.6% slide in the S&P 500; bond yields rise in Australia and New Zealand after positive US labor market data; and India's sovereign debt is set to be included in JPMorgan's benchmark emerging-markets index.