Beijing’s outreach to Washington over fentanyl created an opening for trade talks between the two nations, according to people in both capitals who are familiar with the matter, paving the way for a bilateral meeting in Switzerland this weekend.

President Trump said Wednesday he was not considering softening the 145 percent tariff on imports from China. Reporters in the Oval Office asked if the president would consider reducing

Chinese officials have long used their willingness to cooperate to stem the flow of fentanyl to the United States as leverage in talks over broader disputes.