Sen. Daines Meets Chinese Leaders, Promotes Trump’s Trade Agenda/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Senator Steve Daines met Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing, holding cordial talks despite rising tensions over trade tariffs and fentanyl trafficking. Daines, representing Trump’s “America First” approach, pressed China to stop exporting fentanyl precursors and improve market access for U.S. agriculture. The visit marks the first by a U.S. lawmaker to China under Trump’s second term.
Senator Daines in Beijing: Quick Looks
- Senator Steve Daines met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing
- Daines promoted Trump’s agenda, emphasizing trade fairness and fentanyl control
- U.S. Embassy said Daines called for stopping fentanyl precursor exports
- Daines to meet Premier Li Qiang on Sunday for deeper policy talks
- Tensions high after U.S. imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese goods
- China retaliated with 15% tariffs on U.S. agricultural products
- Beijing defends its fentanyl controls, opposes U.S. sanctions
- Daines previously worked in China, emphasizes “constructive dialogue”
Sen. Daines Meets Chinese Leaders, Promotes Trump’s Trade Agenda
Deep Look
Senator Daines Visits China to Push Trump’s Trade and Fentanyl Agenda Amid Bilateral Strains
Amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China over trade and fentanyl, Republican Senator Steve Daines of Montana met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Saturday, emphasizing the need for cooperation while delivering a firm message aligned with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Daines, the first member of Congress to visit China since Trump began his second term in January, received a warm welcome in Beijing. The meeting with Vice Premier He featured friendly exchanges in front of the press, despite growing friction over tariffs and drug enforcement.
Speaking to reporters, Daines said this marked his sixth trip to China and recalled past meetings with Chinese leaders, including Premier Li Qiang during his time as Shanghai’s party secretary. Daines is set to meet Li again on Sunday for further talks, where China’s No. 2 official will brief him on key domestic and foreign policy positions.
“I’ve always believed in having constructive dialogue,” Daines said. “That has been the nature of all my visits to China over the years.”
In a post on X, the U.S. Embassy in China confirmed that Daines conveyed Trump’s demands that China take stronger action to halt the export of chemical precursors used in manufacturing fentanyl, a synthetic opioid blamed for tens of thousands of American deaths annually. Daines also expressed hope for more high-level U.S.-China engagement soon.
The senator’s visit comes as tensions flare over trade. The Trump administration recently imposed a 20% tariff on a wide array of Chinese imports, citing unfair practices and security concerns. China responded swiftly with 15% tariffs on American agricultural exports—impacting farmers in Daines’ home state of Montana.
Ahead of his visit, Daines said he planned to focus on reducing the trade deficit and ensuring equitable access to Chinese markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers. “It’s critical we protect Montana producers from unfair competition and restore trade balance,” he wrote.
Daines has a unique connection to China, having worked in Guangzhou with Procter & Gamble before his political career. During Trump’s first term, he acted as an informal bridge between Washington and Beijing during earlier tariff negotiations.
Despite diplomatic tensions, the tone of the meetings has remained civil. China, through Vice Premier He, reaffirmed interest in stabilizing relations and reiterated commitments to address shared concerns. However, Beijing maintains that it opposes what it describes as “unlawful” U.S. sanctions and coercion under the guise of combating fentanyl trafficking.
Earlier this month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused the U.S. of acting in bad faith, saying Washington was “meeting goodwill with hostility.” In response, China published a report defending its narcotics control efforts and outlining ongoing collaboration with U.S. agencies, including the DEA.
Daines’ discussions in Beijing also included a separate meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, where the two exchanged views on U.S.-China ties and mutual challenges. His China visit follows a diplomatic stop in Vietnam, where he met with top leaders to discuss regional issues and economic cooperation.
As the Trump administration doubles down on its America First strategy abroad, Daines’ presence in China signals a continued effort to combine assertive U.S. policy with targeted diplomacy.
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