Long-simmering debates in Washington about the benefits of increased investment from China were revived in recent weeks after Beijing reportedly pushed US President Donald Trump’s administration to roll back national security restrictions on Chinese deals in the US.

But despite signs of high-level political warming to the idea, analysts say the path forward for Chinese firms remains steep given federal and state restrictions and the realities of congressional and local politics.

China’s security rollback request came up during September trade talks in Madrid, with Beijing dangling the prospect of a large investment package. No such pledge immediately came out of the Trump-Xi summit last week.

After the talks, Trump said China felt very “strongly” about investing in the US. “They have investments and they will invest,” he told reporters.

In September, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Fox Business that in Madrid the two sides had discussed “the investment climate in the United States for Chinese companies”. China’s senior trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, told reporters the US had “expressed its willingness to move together with China … when it comes to reducing barriers to investment”.

Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to create a non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies, which in recent years have faced growing restrictions over concerns ranging from data security to military espionage. In a September phone call, Chinese President Xi Jinping himself urged Trump to create “open” and “fair” conditions for Chinese investors.