China stresses dialogue over confrontation with U.S. relations

China's Premier Li Qiang urged the United States to prioritize dialogue over confrontation during a meeting with U.S. Senator Steve Daines. This meeting took place on March 23 and marked the first visit to Beijing by a member of Congress since President Trump took office. Li highlighted the rising tensions between China and the U.S., particularly concerning trade tariffs and the illegal fentanyl trade. He stated that both countries are at "an important juncture" in their relationship. He called for cooperation that benefits both nations instead of a confrontational approach. Daines is a vocal supporter of Trump and has been in touch with the White House about his trip. He has emphasized Trump's "America First" agenda and discussed concerns with Chinese officials, including calls for Beijing to halt the shipment of ingredients used to produce fentanyl. During the meeting, Li reiterated that there are no winners in a trade war and encouraged foreign companies, including those from the U.S., to explore opportunities in China. He assured that China would treat both domestic and foreign businesses equally. Li also spoke at the China Development Forum, where he mentioned challenges posed by international factors. He called on countries to keep their markets open to ensure global economic stability and advocated for fair competition based on international rules. Tensions between the two economic powers have escalated, with the U.S. imposing tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliating with duties on U.S. agricultural products. Anticipated "reciprocal" tariffs from the U.S. are set to be announced soon. In response to U.S. concerns regarding the fentanyl trade, China provided a report detailing its efforts to combat this issue. However, Beijing criticized the U.S. for applying unreasonable pressure regarding the situation.