A US congressional advisory body focused on China-US relations stated on Friday that its recent diplomatic trip to Beijing faced obstacles regarding industry engagement. According to the commission, representatives from leading Chinese artificial intelligence firms declined invitations to meet with the delegation. The primary reason cited for these refusals was a concern that meeting with the commission—which is known for its critical stance on Chinese technology—could result in the firms being targeted by future US government sanctions.

Commission members characterized the feedback they received as a perception that the body is a "scary commission" that pursues "hawkish anti-China" policies. Despite these rejections, the delegation emphasized that the incident does not diminish the necessity of ongoing bilateral dialogue. The commission continues to advocate for formal discussions between Washington and Beijing regarding the development and regulation of artificial intelligence, suggesting that communication is vital even when political tensions remain high.

While the commission acknowledged the reluctance of the private sector to engage, they maintained that the dialogue remains a priority for US interests. The report highlights the growing friction between US regulatory efforts and the Chinese technology sector, where firms are increasingly wary of being caught in the crossfire of geopolitical competition. The commission did not name the specific companies that declined the meetings, nor did they provide a full list of the firms invited.