Key facts
- President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington this week.
- Artificial intelligence is a key topic for the summit, with discussions planned on managing AI risks and national security concerns.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent may be appointed as President Trump's new 'AI czar'.
- Bessent led talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng focusing on AI, proposing a new AI safety notification mechanism and dialogue.
- The US and China are competing in AI development, with the US leading in advanced models and chips, while China rapidly closes the gap.
- Concerns about AI risks, including cyberattacks and autonomous systems, are growing.
President Donald Trump will host Chinese President Xi Jinping this week in Washington for a state visit, with artificial intelligence, trade, and Taiwan on the agenda. The meeting is significant as a trade truce between the two global superpowers is set to expire in November.
Xi is expected to receive a personal welcome from Trump at Andrews Air Force Base, followed by a formal ceremony at the White House. This visit marks Xi's first trip to the US in over a decade and his third meeting with Trump during his second term. The trade truce, established in October 2025, saw the US suspend tariff increases on Chinese goods while China eased restrictions on rare earth exports. Experts are watching for potential announcements regarding an extension of this agreement.
Discussions are anticipated to cover tariffs and the US trade deficit with China, which currently stands at over $91 billion. Chinese rare earth exports to the US have also decreased despite the previous agreement. Trade talks held recently between US and Chinese officials on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly did not yield significant progress ahead of Xi's visit.
Artificial intelligence is a prominent topic, with both nations competing in its development. Growing concerns over AI risks, such as cyberattacks and autonomous systems, have led to pressure on the US administration to regulate the technology. Senator Bernie Sanders has called for a treaty to pause AI development, a sentiment echoed by some Republicans. Trump views AI as crucial for the US economy and a key area of global power competition.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with his Chinese counterpart He Lifeng on Sunday, describing their talks on trade and AI as "very successful." Bessent may also be appointed as the US's 'AI czar,' focusing on AI risks. The US and China are reportedly competing in AI development, particularly in Southeast Asia, while also seeking to manage risks associated with the technology.
Taiwan remains a point of contention, with the US Congress approving a multibillion-dollar arms sale to the island that awaits Trump's signature. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force. Xi, facing economic challenges at home, is expected to use the visit to discuss deepening US-China trade, though some within the Trump administration express suspicion towards China.