Pro Trump senator meets Chinese Premier Li with US executives

BEIJING - US Republican Senator Steve Daines met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing with a group of seven American executives on March 23, following an annual business summit in the Chinese capital attended by top foreign chief executives.

Mr Daines was accompanied by Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Cargill CEO Brian Sikes, Boeing Global senior vice-president Brendan Nelson and other executives at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, according to a foreign media pool report.

Mr Daines’ trip marks the first time a US politician has visited China since US President Donald Trump took office in January. Beijing is seeking high-level dialogue with the new administration, in the hope of reaching a deal to avert further tariff pressure from Washington.

Mr Daines, a staunch supporter of Mr Trump and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was heavily involved in negotiations on US-China trade during Mr Trump’s first term, and has made multiple trips to China as a senator.

He lived in Guangzhou and Hong Kong in the 1990s while working as an executive for Proctor Gamble, which he referenced in his opening speech.

“Collectively, these seven companies have over 275 years of experience of doing business in China,” he said as he introduced the American CEOs, according to a pool transcript.

“These companies have each been here decades, growing the businesses, contributing significantly to growing the businesses and creating success.”

Beijing has been trying to attract foreign investment to offset US tariff pressure and its slowing domestic economy.

The US executives were granted an audience with Mr Li, who will not meet separately with other foreign CEOs at the China Development Forum for the second year in a row.

The annual closed-door meeting with the Premier was traditionally viewed as a summit highlight by