Montana Senator Steve Daines is planning to meet with a senior Chinese official in Beijing to discuss trade negotiations between the US and China. This meeting could provide a rare opportunity for direct communication between American and Chinese authorities. Daines' visit to China follows frustrations on both sides due to disagreements on tariffs. Both countries are eager to reach a deal to avoid further economic shocks. The US president has shown interest in meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future. Daines has previous experience in China and is aiming to arrange a meeting with Xi to lay the groundwork for a potential summit. This type of diplomatic meeting has happened before with other US politicians meeting Chinese leaders before a formal summit.