US House delegation visits China amid trade, TikTok talks: Bloomberg

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Bloomberg
21 Sep 2025 20:45

A bipartisan US House delegation led by Rep. Adam Smith visited Beijing, marking the first such trip in six years, as Washington and Beijing pursue trade talks, TikTok negotiations, and renewed military communication channels.

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US Ambassador to China David Perdue greets Representatives Adam Smith, Mike Baumgartner, Ro Khanna, and Chrissy Houlahan in Beijing on Sunday. The bipartisan delegation marks the first official visit by members of the House of Representatives to China since 2019 (@USAmbChina)

Bloomberg on Sunday reported that Beijing has opened its doors to a rare US congressional delegation, the first official visit by members of the House of Representatives in six years, as both governments seek to stabilize ties and move toward a trade accord following last week's call between President Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

Leading the group is Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, former chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and now the panel's ranking Democrat. The lawmakers were greeted by US ambassador to China David Perdue before holding discussions with Chinese officials. Perdue later wrote on X that "the bipartisan group plays a vital role in managing the US-China relationship."

The visit comes after Trump announced that Xi had agreed to a US investor-led takeover of TikTok's American operations, though he conceded the deal was not yet finalized. China's Foreign Ministry, while not directly addressing the matter, said that Washington must ensure an "open, fair and non-discriminatory environment" for Chinese companies.

Beyond trade and technology, the delegation is also seen as part of a broader effort to reopen military-to-military communication channels that have faltered in recent years amid tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Officials on both sides have described the visit as an "ice-breaking" step, reflecting its symbolic significance.

The last trip by House members took place in 2019, while a bipartisan Senate delegation led by Chuck Schumer traveled to China in October 2023. This week's meetings mark a renewed attempt to restore confidence, reduce the risk of miscalculation, and lay the groundwork for further high-level engagement between the world's two largest economies.