Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., wants to have special envoy status bestowed on him as he prepares for a meeting with Chinese leaders. The Financial Times reports he made the request to the Trump administration asserting that status could help him create an opening for potential talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Sen. Daines is scheduled to be in Beijing next week to attend a Chinese business development conference. The senator worked in China for six years while employed by Proctor and Gamble.

The Times said Sen. Daines made the request to the Trump administration in a somewhat quiet fashion so more hawkish leaders on the Trump team would not interfere.

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.