US senator Steve Daines visits Beijing as tariff fight grows

Steve Daines is a key Trump ally (AP)

US senator Steve Daines is visiting Beijing as America and China swap tariff threats and harsh words over each others’ handling of the illegal trade in fentanyl.

Mr Daines, a Republican from Montana who is a strong supporter of US President Donald Trump, arrived in the Chinese capital on Thursday after meeting top leaders in Vietnam, according to social media posts by him and the US embassy in Beijing.