Overview

• Rep. Adam Smith led a four-member House delegation that concluded a five-day visit in Shanghai after meetings with senior leaders in Beijing, marking the first House trip to mainland China since 2019.
• The lawmakers prioritized restarting military-to-military communication and affirmed adherence to the One China policy while urging a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.
• Meetings included Premier Li Qiang, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Defense Minister Dong Jun, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and NPC Chairman Zhao Leji, with Chinese readouts urging no conflict and the removal of obstacles to improved military ties.
• The delegation pressed China on fentanyl precursors, tariff and non-tariff barriers, critical minerals restrictions, territorial disputes, the war in Ukraine, and the status of TikTok negotiations.
• Smith said trade frictions are hurting businesses and called for debate on updating global economic rules to reflect China’s rise, as Trump reported a recent “very productive” call with Xi and signaled potential leader meetings that China has not confirmed.