Washington, 1 August 2026 – US Senator Steve Daines is expected to return to Beijing as Washington and China work to narrow differences before a planned September meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. His emerging role as a backchannel intermediary signals that both governments are seeking a more controlled negotiating process after repeated confrontations over tariffs, technology and strategic security.
Daines, a Republican senator from Montana, visited Beijing in May while the two sides were attempting to stabilise relations ahead of leader-level engagement. People familiar with the preparations said the new mission would help finalise the summit agenda and transmit concerns between the two capitals.
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