In the dynamic world of global trade, few voices carry the weight of experience quite like Claire (Zhenyu) Shao’s. A Shanghai native who has spent over a decade bridging boardrooms and embassy halls, Shao has become a go-to advisor for Fortune 500 companies navigating the complexities of international partnerships. As Chief Representative to the U.S. office of the Shanghai Foreign Investment Development Board and a former First Secretary in the Commercial Department of the Chinese Embassy, she has facilitated deals worth hundreds of millions, from EV battery sourcing to AI chip collaborations. In an exclusive interview from her Los Angeles office, Shao shared her insights on the evolving U.S.-China business landscape, emphasizing mutual strengths in innovation and manufacturing that are driving fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
“This isn’t just about transactions—it’s about building ecosystems where ideas from Silicon Valley meet Shenzhen’s execution prowess,” Shao said, her eyes lighting up as she recounted a recent green energy pact that brought Chinese solar tech to California grids. With a career spanning Deloitte consulting, Global Chamber mentorship, and high-stakes negotiations, Shao’s journey is a testament to turning cultural insights into commercial wins. Born in Shanghai and educated across continents, she moved to the U.S. to pursue diplomacy, quickly rising through ranks by blending empathy with sharp business acumen. “I learned early that trust is currency in cross-border deals,” she reflected. “Whether it’s a startup founder or a CEO, it’s about listening first and aligning visions second.”
The Allure of the American Market: A Proving Ground for Global Brands
At the heart of Shao’s optimism is the unmatched pull of the U.S. consumer market—a powerhouse with over 330 million buyers and a projected 2.5% GDP growth in 2026. For international manufacturers, it’s not just size that matters; it’s the rigorous standards that push products to excellence. Drawing from her embassy days, where she brokered multi-million-dollar agreements, Shao highlighted how Chinese firms like BYD and CATL are evolving beyond exports to form joint ventures with U.S. automakers. “These aren’t low-margin plays anymore,” she explained. “They’re co-developing next-gen EVs, tapping into federal incentives and venture capital to prototype in Shenzhen what scales in Detroit.”
Shao’s own track record speaks volumes: During her tenure as chief representative, she spearheaded over $500 million in bilateral investments, including that landmark solar initiative. In a recent forum she keynoted, she noted how U.S. demand fuels 30% of China’s high-tech exports, creating a virtuous cycle of R&D and refinement. “Silicon Valley’s dollars aren’t just funding— they’re igniting prototypes that come back stronger,” she said. This feedback loop has already sparked semiconductor partnerships, where U.S. leaders like Nvidia collaborate on accessible tech, fostering innovation without the friction of full decoupling. For Shao, who mentors LA-based startups through the Global Chamber, it’s personal: One venture she advised just locked in $20 million for a U.S.-Chinese battery recycling plant, merging American design smarts with Chinese scaling efficiency.
China’s Evolution: From Assembly Lines to Innovation Hubs
Shao’s perspective on China’s transformation is equally compelling. No longer the “world’s factory” of old, China is now a patent leader, filing 1.5 million inventions in 2025 alone—surpassing global peers in green tech and biotech. Supply chains have morphed into collaborative webs, where Chinese firms lead in renewables and 5G, powering projects from L.A.’s net-zero initiatives to Long Beach’s logistics overhauls. “Agility is the new edge,” Shao said, citing Huawei’s solar inverters as a prime example. “We’re turning concepts into products at speed, but it’s the partnerships that make it sustainable.”
Her hands-on role in these shifts shines through anecdotes from her Deloitte days, where she guided a U.S. chipmaker to diversify 40% of its supply chain while retaining Chinese cost advantages. “It’s like chess—protect your kings, but trade the pawns wisely,” she quipped. Through blockchain audits and joint ventures, Shao has helped clients sidestep IP hurdles, turning potential roadblocks into competitive moats. A recent win? Advising a Long Beach firm on battery tech that now employs 200 locals, recycling for giants like Tesla while upskilling American workers in advanced materials. “Every dollar in these chains multiplies threefold—jobs, training, spillover effects,” she emphasized, tying it to broader trends like CHIPS Act extensions that invite non-sensitive collaborations.
Smart Strategies for Cross-Border Success
For entrepreneurs eyeing hybrid models, Shao’s advice is pragmatic and forward-thinking. With geopolitical ripples and supply hiccups like the 2024 Red Sea disruptions still in play, she champions “smart friendshoring”—setting up in Mexico or Vietnam for efficiency, but embedding U.S. oversight and Chinese precision. “Look at Foxconn’s Texas expansion: 10,000 jobs from blending ops across borders,” she said. Her toolkit? Lessons from CFIUS reviews and currency fluxes, plus tools like joint audits to build bulletproof IP protections.
In Southern California, the impacts are immediate. Port cost savings could slash import expenses by 5-10%, per Economic Policy Institute estimates, fueling reinvestment and up to 50,000 jobs by 2030. Shao sees this as a launchpad for tech booms in AI logistics and green retrofits. “In L.A., I’ve watched a mentee’s firm go from idea to employing 200 in months,” she shared. “It’s not handouts—it’s calculated symbiosis.”
Building Bridges, One Deal at a Time
As APEC 2026 approaches in Beijing, Shao’s message is one of measured enthusiasm. “Trust compounds, deal by deal,” she concluded, her Shanghai roots and L.A. vantage point lending authenticity. From Pasadena factories to Pudong labs, her vision positions collaboration as the essential thread in global prosperity. For Shao, whose path has woven embassy intrigue with entrepreneurial fire, it’s clear: In today’s fused economies, the real winners are those who connect the dots.