Key facts
- President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for a summit in Washington on Sept. 24, 2026.
- Xi Jinping advocated for artificial intelligence to remain "under human control" and for dialogue on its risks and benefits.
- Donald Trump stated the U.S. "totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control AI" and will not "stifle" its growth.
- The leaders reportedly agreed to extend a trade truce by two months until Jan. 10.
- Xi expressed China's hope for the U.S. to oppose "Taiwan independence."
- The summit marked the third in-person meeting between Trump and Xi since Trump's return to office.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a summit in Washington on Sept. 24, 2026, where they revealed differing views on the regulation of artificial intelligence and reportedly agreed to extend a trade truce.
During the meeting, Xi Jinping emphasized that AI development should "always be under human control" and called for dialogue on its risks and benefits, rather than guarding against each other. In contrast, Trump stated that the U.S. "totally rejects any attempt to construct a globalist scheme to control AI" and that he would not "stifle" its growth, dismissing AI safety fears as a "hoax."
According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, the leaders also agreed to extend their trade truce by two months, until January 10, a detail also shared with Fox News by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The arrangement was described by Xi as "good news for industries and people of both countries, as well as the global economy."
The summit, which marked the third in-person meeting between Trump and Xi since Trump's return to office, also covered discussions on the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East situation, and the war in Ukraine. Xi expressed China's hope that the U.S. would oppose "Taiwan independence" and handle the issue "with prudence."
Both leaders stressed friendship and cooperation, recalling their historical alliance during World War II and highlighting shared interests. Trump noted his "truly great friendship" with Xi, built on "mutual respect and the vital interests of the two countries' peoples." Xi called for stronger bilateral communication and joint efforts to "coexist in peace," suggesting that their respective national visions could "go hand in hand."