On Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the U.S. and China have made headway in progress toward reaching a trade deal, and more high-level talks are set to resume in the coming weeks.

Earlier this year, the Missoulian reported that many agricultural producers are concerned about losing China as a long-term trading partner if the trade dispute drags on too long.

“I do want to see a deal signed sooner rather than later,” Daines said.

He said that for decades, China has been abusing the system and not abiding by the same laws that other countries do. Once the U.S. is past this “impasse,” he said, there is a big opportunity for Montana ranchers and farmers because beef and wheat grown here is high-quality and in high demand in China.

Daines said that a Wall Street Journal article on Monday reported that China’s economy is slowing down faster than many people have suggested lately.