From April 14 to 15, the 30th round of the U.S.-China Track II Economic Dialogue was convened in Shanghai by the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The meeting marked the first time the dialogue has been held in Shanghai since its inception in 2010.
The two-day dialogue brought together leading Chinese and American economic experts, academics, and industry leaders for off-the-record discussions on major economic and trade issues of shared concern. The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Guangshao Tu, former Executive Vice Mayor of Shanghai and former Chairman of the Board of SAIF, while the U.S. delegation was led by Ms. Charlene Barshefsky, Chair of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and former United States Trade Representative.
This year’s discussions focused on a range of pressing topics, including “Economic Outlook and Policy Prospects in 2026 and Beyond,” “The State of U.S.-China Economic and Trade Relations,” “Industrial Policy, State Investment, and the Domestic Growth Challenge,” and “The Future of U.S.-China Economic Coexistence: Challenges and Areas for Cooperation.” Participants exchanged views on recent policy shifts, macroeconomic trends, and evolving trade and investment dynamics. The discussions highlighted both areas of friction and the continued interdependence between the world’s two largest economies. Participants also underscored the importance of sustained dialogue in helping manage differences and identify practical avenues for cooperation.
During their time in Shanghai, the U.S. delegation also visited the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory, the Shanghai Financial Court, Guotai Haitong Securities, and Starbucks China headquarters for informative and constructive exchanges.
