US senators hope to meet with Xi during the China trip next week.

On Monday, Republican Senator Mike Crapo’s spokeswoman confirmed that many U.S. senators, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, will travel to China next week to meet with President Xi Jinping.

Last month, Schumer’s office announced he would travel with Crapo to China, South Korea, and Japan but did not respond on Monday. The Chinese Embassy in Washington denied comment.

THE TAKE
Some senators want to increase China-US commercial relations.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said more U.S. companies are frustrated with China. “Many U.S. businesses are impatient and need action,” she added.

In recent months, U.S. and Chinese officials have improved communication despite years of tension over matters including Taiwan, COVID-19 origins, and Chinese eavesdropping suspicions.

The Biden administration has restricted chip shipments to China to prevent Beijing from acquiring sophisticated technology for military or human rights violations. In response, China claimed economic coercion.