Donald Trump's Ally, Steve Daines, To Embark On China Trip Ahead Of Key Summit

Last Updated:April 24, 2026, 12:18 IST

US Senator Steve Daines will lead a bipartisan delegation to Shanghai and Beijing from May 1, as Washington increases pressure on China over trade, technology and Iran ties.

US Senator Steve Daines, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is set to lead a bipartisan delegation to China next week. The visit comes as Washington steps up pressure on Beijing over trade, technology, and China’s ties with Iran.

The five-member group is expected to begin its journey on May 1, with planned stops in Shanghai and Beijing. The trip, which had been under preparation since last year, was initially scheduled for late March but was postponed as the anticipated meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping was pushed to mid-May due to the ongoing Iran conflict, according to a report in South China Morning Post.

Daines To Lead 5-Member Delegation To China

While the full list of delegates has not been made public, sources indicated that some members will be visiting mainland China for the first time. Daines’s office has not commented on the visit so far.

Speaking at a public event last month, Daines said the delegation would study China’s infrastructure and innovation landscape, including travel on its high-speed rail network.

“One of my goals for that trip is first, to understand the innovation ecosystem that China is building out, but second, the infrastructure. So we’ll take the high-speed train from Shanghai to Beijing," Daines said, adding, “Imagine a group of bipartisan senators comparing that high-speed train to what you get when you’re going from here to New York on Amtrak."

Daines previously met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Beijing in March 2025, where he emphasised the importance of dialogue. Over the years, he has played a key intermediary role in US-China relations, drawing on his experience working in China for several years.

News world Donald Trump's Ally, Steve Daines, To Embark On China Trip Ahead Of Key Summit

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