Washington's Unlikely Diplomat in Beijing The return of Steve Daines, Montana Republican and special envoy to China, signals that the US China summit, scheduled for September in Washington, is more than just another diplomatic exercise.
Daines' behind the scenes efforts have bridged the chasm between the two nations, making him an unlikely hero amidst escalating tensions.
Daines' emergence as a crucial backchannel figure owes much to his May visit to Beijing, where he helped stabilize relations ahead of President Trump's trip to the Chinese capital.