Hong Kong business confidence rises despite US-China tensions, survey notes

Feb 2 (Reuters) - Business confidence ⁠in Hong Kong ⁠has ‍improved for 2026 despite continuing global uncertainty, according to a survey report published on Monday by the American Chamber ‍of Commerce in Hong Kong.

The survey, which polled senior decision-makers ​at AmCham member companies in the city, showed that more than 50% of respondents ​were optimistic about the business outlook for the next 12 months, up from 33% last year.

Washington and Beijing have had tense ties for years over several issues including ​trade tariffs.

The two countries struck a new trade truce after talks in South Korea between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President ​Xi Jinping in October last year, where Trump agreed to trim tariffs in exchange for Beijing ‌cracking down on illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and pausing controls on exports of rare earths.

"Companies continued ​to view tensions in U.S.-China relations as ⁠the foremost business challenge," the AmCham report said.

"Respondents viewed that general uncertainty in outlook (61%) and the perceived lack ‌of differentiation between Hong Kong and China (62%) have had the greatest impact on their companies in the current geopolitical environment. Other challenges included the imposition of ‌trade tariffs (30%) and compliance with U.S. and China regulations (29%)", the survey noted.

The survey was ‌conducted between November 2025 and January 2026.

AmCham Hong Kong said the city retains its status as a corporate home, as 92% of multinational corporations indicated they have ‍no plans to relocate their headquarters away from Hong Kong in the next three years.

Improving consumer and business ⁠sentiment and expected further interest rate cuts in the U.S. will benefit consumption and investment activities, while external uncertainties persist amid escalating geopolitical tensions, a Hong Kong government spokesman told Reuters in January.

(Reporting by Devika Nair in Bengaluru, Editing by Louise Heavens)

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