Senator Daines visits Beijing amid tariff tensions

U.S. Senator Steve Daines is visiting Beijing amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China. Both countries have been exchanging tariff threats and comments about the illegal trade in fentanyl. Daines, a strong backer of former President Donald Trump, will be in China for three days starting Friday. Daines has previous experience working for American companies in China and served as a liaison during Trump's first term, when tariffs were a major concern. Although his meeting schedule is not public, an official mentioned he is likely to meet a deputy Chinese foreign minister. This would make Daines the highest-ranking U.S. official to meet with a Chinese representative since Trump assumed office. Trump is also planning to speak with President Xi Jinping, either by phone or in person. Tensions have intensified recently, as the U.S. imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese goods. In response, China placed 15% tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. The U.S. accuses China of insufficient action to prevent the export of fentanyl precursor materials, which are linked to many overdose deaths in the U.S. In response to these accusations, China provided a report highlighting its efforts to combat the illegal fentanyl trade and criticized the U.S. for imposing tariffs despite cooperative gestures. The report emphasized China's commitment to working with the U.S. on this issue but opposed what it called unlawful sanctions.