BEIJING: United States Senator Steve Daines met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing on Saturday, where both sides underscored the need for dialogue despite escalating trade tensions between the two countries. The meeting took place as the US and China remain at odds over trade tariffs.
Chinese Vice Premier He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reiterated Beijing’s opposition to the “politicisation, weaponisation, and instrumentalisation of economic and trade issues”, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported.
He added that China remained willing to engage in “candid dialogue” with the US on the basis of “mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefits.”
Senator Daines, a supporter of President Donald Trump and the first US lawmaker to visit Beijing since Trump’s return to office in January, expressed his belief in constructive engagement.
“I’ve always believed in having constructive dialogue, and that has been the nature of all my visits to China over the course of many years,” Xinhua quoted him as saying.
Trade war
Daines’ visit comes amid renewed tensions between Washington and Beijing following Trump’s decision to impose 20 per cent duties on Chinese imports, which triggered retaliatory tariffs of up to 15 per cent on American agricultural products.
Ahead of his visit, Daines had indicated that trade and fentanyl smuggling would be high on his agenda.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Montana senator stated he would press Chinese officials on curbing the production and distribution of fentanyl precursors and discuss ways to reduce the US trade deficit.
The US Embassy in China confirmed Daines raised the issue of fentanyl during his meeting with He Lifeng.
“The Senator voiced President Trump’s ongoing call for China to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors from China and expressed hope that further high-level talks between the United States and China will take place in the near future,” the embassy said in a statement posted on X.
The Chinese government has insisted that it is cooperating with the US to combat illicit fentanyl trade.
Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused Washington of “meeting good with evil” and criticised what he described as arbitrary US sanctions.
Beijing also issued a report detailing its efforts to control fentanyl-related substances and highlighted its regular cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
Diplomatic engagements
Daines’ visit is part of broader diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising relations between the world’s two largest economies.
On Sunday, he is expected to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang for further discussions on economic and trade policies, Xinhua reported.
Vice Premier He Lifeng, in his remarks, sought to downplay hostilities, stating that the US and China share “many common interests and broad space for cooperation.”
He added, “The two sides can become partners and friends to achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world.”
Daines, who previously worked in China for Procter & Gamble, has visited the country multiple times. In 2018, he met Li Qiang when the latter served as Communist Party Secretary of Shanghai.
The timing of Daines’ visit is notable as Trump has indicated that Chinese President Xi Jinping may soon visit the US. However, Beijing has not confirmed the trip.
