Steve Daines, David Perdue Press China on Trade Policies

Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and David Perdue (R-GA) pressed high-ranking Chinese government officials Wednesday on their unfair trade policies and security concerns.

Sens. Perdue and Daines concluded a series of high-level meetings with senior Chinese government officials in Beijing, China.

Prior to the two senators’ trip, Sens. Daines and Perdue spoke with President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Perdue and Daines plan to brief President Trump when they return to the United States.

“Senator Daines and I traveled to China with one goal: to help reinforce President Trump’s efforts to level the playing field with all of our trading partners. We were there to emphasize that the President and his negotiating team have strong support from Congress,” Sen. Perdue said in a statement Wednesday.

Sens. Perdue and Daines met with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, China’s top trade negotiator, as well as National People’s Congress Chairman Li Zhanshu, and vice chairman Wang Chen. Perdue added:

President Trump and President Xi have developed a special relationship, and we are hopeful their renewed negotiations proceed to a productive conclusion. The President deserves high marks for standing up for American workers, farmers, and manufacturers. China clearly sees that America is serious about achieving equal access.

President Trump spoke highly of Sens. Daines and Perdue during a press conference Wednesday, saying:

China asked for the meeting. They have a lot of respect for Senator Daines and for Senator Perdue. So do I, they’re friends of mine. They are great Senators doing a fantastic job. I knew about the meeting. I approved of the meeting. All they did was say we really have bipartisan support. If you look at it, and the support is very serious, we are not playing games. That was the message that was given by Senator Perdue and Senator Daines. It was given very strongly.

Last year, Sens. Perdue and Daines led a congressional delegation trip to China, South Korea, and the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). During the trip, Daines and Perdue discussed issues relating to trade, intellectual property, technology, security, and human rights.

In June, Sens. Perdue and Daines hosted a roundtable discussion in Washington, DC, with Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai and other senators regarding national security concerns, human rights issues, and the need for fair trade.

“Senator Perdue and I met with top level Chinese officials to fully support President Trump’s efforts to level the playing field for American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses. We must continue to hold China accountable,” said Sen. Daines. “I thank President Trump for tirelessly working for the American people.”