US senator says China, US 'competitors but not adversaries'

BEIJING: US senator Lamar Alexander has told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, "the two countries are competitors but not adversaries" despite a spiraling trade war and other tensions, and that mutual respect can get them through current difficulties.

Thursday's meeting in Beijing came amid concerns that the US-China trade dispute will drag on, hurting company profits and the overall US economy. Alexander led a delegation of Republican senators and congress members, all strong supporters of President Donald Trump, who has slapped tariffs of $250 billion in Chinese products and threatened much more.

In his comments, Li said he hoped the US will meet China halfway to "have the wisdom to overcome the obstacles and move our relationship forward on an even sounder track," saying that would benefit both nations and the world.