A U.S. House delegation visiting China said there is still a wide perception gap on key issues between the United States and China, and that problems related to TikTok and rare earths remain unresolved. They also stressed that dialogue is urgently needed to ease military tensions between the two countries.
Democratic Rep. Adam Smith said at a news conference at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing on 23rd, We are still just saying what we each want to say, and we are not communicating. Citing the issue of TikTok's algorithm and China's restrictions on rare earth exports, he noted, It is not 100% resolved yet. There is work left to do.
At last week's high-level trade talks in Spain, a broad agreement was reached on TikTok's business operations in the United States, but the two sides differ in their interpretations over control of the algorithm and ownership of the joint venture.
Smith, a former chair of the House Armed Services Committee, said, With military technologies such as AI and drones advancing rapidly, U.S. and Chinese forces are operating too close to each other, raising the risk of misunderstandings, emphasizing the need for consultations while referring to U.S.-Soviet talks during the Cold War. In meetings with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and Defense Minister Dong Jun, he also said, It is time to start talks, including on nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, Smith also mentioned the negotiations on a China–Boeing "big deal." He said, It has been a long time since Boeing aircraft were sold in China. I hope this transaction goes through, and David Perdue, the U.S. ambassador to China, also said the negotiations are in the final stage, adding, This is very important to President Trump.
The U.S. House delegation met Zhao Leji, chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, who warned them to handle the Taiwan issue prudently. Zhao said, Taiwan is the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations, and the United States must firmly adhere to the "one China" principle.
This delegation's visit to China is the first in six years since 2019, and they previously met Premier Li Qiang, Vice Premier He Lifeng and Defense Minister Dong Jun in turn, and are also scheduled to meet later in the day with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.