A high‑level U.S. business delegation, led by FedEx CEO Rajesh Subramaniam, arrived in Beijing on July 28, 2025, aiming to expand market access and help prevent a looming trade escalation between Washington and Beijing. The mission, organized by the U.S.–China Business Council, includes top executives from Boeing and other major firms, signaling a growing trend of corporate leaders stepping into global diplomacy roles traditionally occupied by government officials.
The business visit coincides with formal government negotiations taking place in Sweden, where U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are conducting the third round of bilateral trade discussions in Stockholm. These talks are focused on extending a fragile tariff truce set to expire on August 12, 2025, and preventing a renewed round of reciprocal tariffs that could disrupt international trade flows.
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This parallel effort by private industry leaders reflects a shift in how economic diplomacy is conducted. Executives on the mission hope their presence in Beijing will strengthen informal ties and ease trade tensions that could otherwise lead to tariffs as high as 100% on goods from both countries. Their aim is to provide stability in business operations and possibly lay the foundation for a future summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC meeting in South Korea later this year.
While government officials focus on strategic issues like market access, foreign investment rules, and export controls, the CEOs are engaging Chinese stakeholders with the goal of preserving long-term commercial relationships. Discussions also touch on sensitive topics including China’s oil purchases from sanctioned countries and U.S. limits on high-tech exports like semiconductor equipment and rare earths.
Though no major breakthroughs are expected from the Stockholm talks, analysts believe a 90-day extension of the current tariff rates is likely. That would maintain the status quo for now, offering breathing room for further dialogue. The U.S. has recently finalized similar agreements with trading partners such as the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom as part of a broader effort to stabilize international trade relationships ahead of the August 1 deadline for global compliance with new tariff rules.
This approach underscores the increasingly strategic role CEOs are playing in global affairs. Rajesh Subramaniam’s leadership in the delegation exemplifies the changing expectations placed on corporate executives. They are not only responsible for managing company operations, but also for helping steer their firms through complex geopolitical environments.
For companies like Boeing and FedEx, the stakes are significant. Their access to Chinese markets, supply chain resilience, and future profitability depend on a stable U.S.–China relationship. The participation of major U.S. firms in this diplomatic initiative reflects their deep concern about the potential impact of renewed trade hostilities.
This dual-track diplomacy—where business leaders complement official talks—represents a growing model in international relations. It shows that corporate America is willing to step up as a stabilizing force in a volatile trade landscape. Executives bring on-the-ground insights and practical solutions that can bridge gaps where political negotiations may stall.
If successful, the business delegation’s mission could help preserve vital economic ties between the world’s two largest economies, ensure continuity for global supply chains, and support a fragile recovery in global trade. The International Monetary Fund recently raised its global growth forecast for 2025 to 3%, citing reduced trade friction as a key factor. But risks remain, and much depends on the outcome of these talks in the coming weeks.
As negotiations continue in Stockholm through early August, the U.S. business delegation will remain active in China, maintaining dialogue with senior officials and advocating for continued access to Chinese markets. This form of engagement marks a new chapter in economic diplomacy—one where CEOs are called upon not just to lead companies, but also to help shape the global economic order.