Overview

• Senator Steve Daines met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Vice Premier He Lifeng, marking the first high-level US-China political engagement since January 2025.
• Key discussions included trade tariffs, the US-China trade deficit, and the export of fentanyl precursors linked to the US opioid crisis.
• China reiterated its opposition to the politicization of trade issues and expressed willingness for candid dialogue with the United States.
• Daines was accompanied by senior executives from major US companies, reflecting the intertwined economic interests of the two nations.
• Chinese leaders used the China Development Forum to emphasize market openness and attract foreign investment amidst rising economic challenges.