Business Confidence in Hong Kong Climbs to Multi-Year High Despite Ongoing US-China Tensions
AmCham survey shows a marked increase in optimism among companies about the city’s economic outlook for 2026, even as geopolitical challenges persist
Business confidence in Hong Kong has strengthened significantly for 2026, with more than half of respondents in a recent American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong survey reporting optimism about their prospects over the next year.
The proportion of senior corporate decision-makers expressing a positive outlook rose to over fifty percent, up sharply from just thirty-three percent in the previous survey, underscoring a rebound in sentiment among multinational firms active in the territory.
The survey was conducted between November 2025 and January 2026, capturing corporate views amid a complex global economic and geopolitical backdrop.
Despite long-running tensions between Washington and Beijing — which remain the foremost concern for many respondents — improved confidence reflects a perception of stabilising conditions and a resilient corporate environment.
The report noted that although companies continue to view U.S.-China relations as a major business challenge, broader uncertainty and the perceived lack of differentiation between Hong Kong and mainland China were cited as having the greatest impact on operations.
Nevertheless, a large majority of multinational firms indicated they have no intention of relocating their regional headquarters away from Hong Kong in the next three years, suggesting sustained commitment to the city as a strategic base.
Survey participants also highlighted several persistent challenges, including trade tariffs and compliance with both U.S. and Chinese regulatory regimes, but many respondents pointed to improving consumer sentiment and expectations of further interest rate cuts in the United States as supportive factors for consumption and investment activity.
A Hong Kong government spokesman said that while external uncertainties remain, conditions that foster investment and business activity are helping to bolster local economic confidence.
This trend aligns with other indicators of corporate resilience in the city’s economy as it navigates evolving global economic dynamics.
The proportion of senior corporate decision-makers expressing a positive outlook rose to over fifty percent, up sharply from just thirty-three percent in the previous survey, underscoring a rebound in sentiment among multinational firms active in the territory.
The survey was conducted between November 2025 and January 2026, capturing corporate views amid a complex global economic and geopolitical backdrop.
Despite long-running tensions between Washington and Beijing — which remain the foremost concern for many respondents — improved confidence reflects a perception of stabilising conditions and a resilient corporate environment.
The report noted that although companies continue to view U.S.-China relations as a major business challenge, broader uncertainty and the perceived lack of differentiation between Hong Kong and mainland China were cited as having the greatest impact on operations.
Nevertheless, a large majority of multinational firms indicated they have no intention of relocating their regional headquarters away from Hong Kong in the next three years, suggesting sustained commitment to the city as a strategic base.
Survey participants also highlighted several persistent challenges, including trade tariffs and compliance with both U.S. and Chinese regulatory regimes, but many respondents pointed to improving consumer sentiment and expectations of further interest rate cuts in the United States as supportive factors for consumption and investment activity.
A Hong Kong government spokesman said that while external uncertainties remain, conditions that foster investment and business activity are helping to bolster local economic confidence.
This trend aligns with other indicators of corporate resilience in the city’s economy as it navigates evolving global economic dynamics.
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