Chinese Premier engages pro-Trump Senator Daines, urges dialogue over confrontation.

BEIJING (AP) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged dialogue over confrontation as the country and the U.S. tangle over trade and fentanyl, despite the latter's increasing hostility. Daines, the first member of Congress to visit Beijing since Trump's January 20 inauguration, was joined by the CEOs of FedEx, Boeing, Qualcomm and Pfizer.

Li stressed that Beijing and Washington should pursue the partnership that Xi Jinping offered to Trump during a critical moment for their relations. He urged the two countries to select cooperation over conflict, pointing to mutual benefits and the necessity of sustainable ties. Daines, a supporter of Trump's policies, confronted Vice Premier He Lifeng over fentanyl precursors and met Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Thursday. The relations have become tenser with the American 20% tariffs on Chinese goods and the Chinese 15% tariffs on US farm products, as Trump considers reciprocal tariffs by April 2. At the China Development Forum, Li highlighted external shocks and promised policies to stabilize the Chinese economy, while calling for fair, rule-based global competition. The U.S. accuses China of sending fentanyl precursors, while China defends its efforts, and rejects what it calls undue pressure in a recent report.