Los Angeles: Trade relations between California and China are really important for us,” noted Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council, during the 2025 China-California Business Forum on Monday. The forum drew nearly 500 entrepreneurs and officials from China and the U.S. state of California to promote deeper economic, trade, and cultural exchanges.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Wunderman emphasized the significance of China as a major trading partner, highlighting the Bay Area Council’s long-standing involvement in fostering economic ties between California and China. Business leaders from Southern California echoed Wunderman’s sentiments during the forum.

Maria S. Salinas, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the forum “comes at a pivotal moment in the U.S.-China relationship, as we navigate trade, uncertainty, and complexity.” She affirmed that California’s longstanding relationship with Chinese provinces and cities has led to significant economic outcomes, with China being the third-largest goods export market in Los Angeles.

Stephen Cheung, president and CEO of Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, and president of World Trade Center Los Angeles, emphasized Los Angeles’ strong relationship with China, driven by shared investments and innovation. He remarked that Los Angeles continues to serve as a gateway for international commerce, with China-California partnerships being among the most valuable globally.

Amid the forum discussions, U.S. disruptive tariffs remained a prevailing concern among American business owners. Michael Tiberi, owner of Deep Light, a California-based UV lighting company, shared how the tariffs nearly crippled his business, forcing him to seek more expensive alternatives through European partners.

Facing significant disruption from the Trump administration’s tariff policies, the California business community expressed its support for maintaining healthy relations with China, one of the state’s largest trading partners. Bob Weiss, former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, highlighted the importance of U.S.-China collaboration, citing the successful development of Shanghai Disneyland.

Dan Thorman, co-executive director at the Collidescope Foundation, noted the forum’s importance in fostering discussions on mutual benefits, such as green shipping corridors and improved farming practices. California’s recent legal actions against the Trump administration over tariffs underscore the economic impact these policies have had on the state.

“It (tariffs) just makes us feel more committed to going forward (with China),” insisted Wunderman. “This is a much better world when China and the United States are working together.”