Where Chinese go to Shop: America

Amidst the chaotic American tariff war with China is the common misperception that Americans rely a lot on “Made in China” in their everyday life, while the Chinese are not consuming much “Made in America” in theirs. Instead, you will be surprised how much American there is in China.

I was in China for two weeks from late May to early June on a family visit. While in Beijing staying with my nephew and his family, I said that I would like to see if I could find any American breakfast cereals nearby. In a local supermarket, I got Cheerios, along with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze from California.

My great nephew, who had attended a summer camp here in Seattle two years ago, is now in junior high in Beijing. His school, Springboard International School, is a private Chinese/English bilingual K-12 school for both Chinese and international students. With its American accreditations, it teaches an American Common-Core-based international curriculum with teachers from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, as well as from China.

Not sure what to eat for dinner one day, my nephew suggested ordering Subway. He did, and soon, the delivery was at the door of his apartment. I got my tuna sandwich, all Subway, all American.

While I was there, Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning was playing. It earned an estimated $25.6 million USD in its opening weekend, biggest American movie opening in China in 2025. It quickly took the top spot at the Chinese box office during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday weekend, from May 31 to June 2.

While many American businesses and importers have been fretting over the on-again off-again tariffs on goods from China, the Chinese have also been counting how much they have come to rely on American goods in their life. A search on Baidu, China’s equivalent of Google, brings up many articles on the topic, with such headlines, “Don’t say Americans can’t live without Chinese products, do you know what American products we have in China?“ “No matter how the U.S. imposes sanctions, most people can’t be separated from American goods in their daily life.” And they were right.

Procter and Gamble, for instance, is very big in China, its second-largest market, offering more than 25 brands, including hair, skin, personal, and baby-care products, earning $5.88 billion or 7% of its total net sales of $84.0 billion from China in 2024, although down from 10% in 2022 of a total of $80.2 billion.

Johnson & Johnson is another example, with its consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical-device businesses in China, employing 10,000 people across the country. Its baby products, health products, and famous Band-Aid brand have long been accepted by Chinese families, often their number one choice.

The list goes on. Apple’s iPhone, for instance, still topped China’s cellphone market as of 2024, even with its high prices and more domestic competitions. Every September when a new model is out, long lines form outside an Apple store.

With BYD, NIO, Xpeng and other Chinese EV brands taking on international markets, Tesla remains a favorite among China’s younger consumers. Its “autonomous driving” attracts many fans, who say Tesla is like Apple among cell phones, pricey and prestigious.

When it comes to shopping, there is Walmart-owned Sam’s Club, which entered China in 1996 and is now running 50 clubs in multiple cities in China. Chasing after it is the Issaquah-headquartered Costco, which opened its first store in China in 2019 and now with several warehouse stores in the country. Sam’s Club’s roast chicken and Costco’s beef are said to be sought-after items.

For a meal, not only is there Subway, but McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, and Pizza Hut. As of 2024, there were more than 5,000 McDonalds in China, while KFC exceeded 8,000. For a cup of coffee, Chinese citizens can visit one of the 6,500 plus Starbucks stores in 250 cities in China. Seattle’s flagship company, conquering a traditionally tea-drinking nation, now employs 60,000 partners in China.

For entertainment, besides American movies, there is the Universal Studios’ Universal Beijing Resort, complete with the best Universal rides, shows, lodging, dining, stores, plus attractions of Chinese elements. A joint venture between Beijing and Universal, the resort opened in September 2021 to enthusiastic Chinese families.

Along with Universal, Shanghai Disneyland, a joint venture between The Walt Disney and a Shanghai company, has also become a hot destination for Chinese families since its opening in 2016. Even with a price tag at hundreds to thousands of Yuan, it is now a must-have for many a Chinese family to celebrate a birthday or a holiday.

All in all, there are more American products or services in China than you think. That is something worth celebrating on America’s birthday.