US Senator Steve Daines is in Beijing amid rising tensions between America and China, with both sides threatening tariffs and trading sharp comments over their handling of 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 be talking with Chinese officials about 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 our 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 other issues of common interest, according to China's Foreign Ministry.
Mr Daines previously held senior positions in China and served as a mediator during Mr Trump's first term as president, 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 interests of both peoples and meets the expectations of the international community.”
Ms. Mao did not elaborate on Mr. Daines' agenda or the names of his interlocutors, but added that “China has always believed that issues between China and the United States should be resolved through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.”
Tensions between the US and China have risen significantly after the US imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese goods last week, which led to China retaliating with 15% tariffs on US agricultural products.
The United States accuses China of not doing enough to stop exports of precursors of fentanyl, a powerful opiate that has caused tens of thousands of deaths in the United States.
In response, China released a report outlining its efforts to control the illicit trade in fentanyl, including opioid ingredients produced in China, and the foreign minister criticized the US for repaying Beijing's goodwill with 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.
China expressed its willingness to cooperate, “but firmly opposes illegal sanctions and unjustified pressure from the United States under the pretext of solving problems related to fentanyl.”
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
