The Week Ahead: March 23, 2025
— Sen. Daines meets China’s He amid rising U.S./China trade tensions. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Beijing, emphasizing the importance of “constructive dialogue” as trade tensions escalate between the U.S. and China. This marks the first meeting between He and a sitting American politician since President Donald Trump returned to office. Daines, a long-time China interlocutor, was set to meet Premier Li Qiang on Sunday, where he is expected to be briefed on developments in China and its government’s “broad policies.” His visit comes ahead of an April 1 review of China’s compliance with the Phase One trade deal and the planned imposition of sweeping U.S. tariffs. Daines, a former Procter & Gamble executive in China, raised issues including fentanyl trafficking and American job protection, aligning with Trump’s “America First” agenda.