U.S. Senator Steve Daines is in Beijing as America and China trade tariff threats and harsh words over each other's efforts to combat the illicit fentanyl trade.
Mr Daines, a Republican from Montana and a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday after meeting with senior Vietnamese leaders, according to his social media posts and information from the US Embassy in Beijing.
Earlier this week, he told Radio X that he would discuss with Chinese officials measures to curb the production and distribution of fentanyl, as well as “the need to reduce the trade deficit and ensure fair market access for Montana farmers, ranchers and producers.”
His office said ahead of the trip that he was actively coordinating with the White House and would “implement President Trump's America First agenda.”
The senator met with Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Friday and had an “in-depth exchange of views” on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Mr Daines previously held senior positions in China and served as a mediator during Mr Trump's first term in office, when tariffs were also a major issue.
He became the first member of the US Congress to visit Beijing since Trump took office in January.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China was pleased to see Mr Daines and believed that “the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations serves the common interests of the two peoples and is consistent with the expectations of the international community.”
Ms Mao did not provide details about Mr Daines' agenda or who he would meet, but added that “China has always held that China and the US should resolve their respective issues through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.”
Tensions between the US and China have risen sharply after the US imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese goods last week, leading to retaliatory 15% tariffs on US agricultural products from China.
The United States accuses China of not doing enough to stop exports of precursors to fentanyl, a powerful opiate that has caused tens of thousands of deaths in the country.
China responded with a report detailing its efforts to control the illicit fentanyl trade, including ingredients for the opioid produced in China, and the foreign minister criticised the US for responding to Beijing's goodwill by imposing tariffs.
The report said that since early last year, China and the United States have held several high-level meetings to promote cooperation, and the DEA regularly exchanges information with the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
The report said China was committed to cooperation “but firmly opposed the US imposition of illegal sanctions and unreasonable pressure on China under the pretext of responding to fentanyl-related problems.”
Also on Friday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with David Ricks, CEO of pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co, and told the U.S. executive that Beijing hopes multinationals will “overcome the uncertainty of the external environment” but continue to do business in China.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
