US and Chinese officials spent eight hours in New York on Sunday establishing a framework for direct communication on artificial intelligence risks. The discussions prepared the ground for an upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The proposed US-China AI dialogue would implement a notification system for AI-related incidents that could threaten national security, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Bessent, alongside Jamieson Greer, the top US trade official, led the American side.
State-run media in China characterized the talks as “candid, thorough, and productive,” highlighting economic and trade matters alongside AI concerns. The Xinhua news agency confirmed that the discussions covered past agreements and efforts to boost bilateral trade, though it did not disclose specific outcomes related to AI. The meeting took place at JPMorgan Chase’s headquarters, with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng heading the delegation. Bessent and He also held confidential discussions throughout the day.
In addition to AI, the officials addressed ways to reduce trade tensions, including potential tariff cuts on non-sensitive products. Greer stated that teams are examining categories like Chinese consumer goods and US exports such as energy, agricultural products, and medical supplies to determine exemptions from broader trade restrictions. No concrete deals were finalized, however.
US representatives stressed the importance of securing access to rare earth minerals and other critical materials necessary for domestic manufacturing. Earlier trade agreements had included China’s commitment to increase purchases of US agricultural goods, though compliance with that pledge remains under evaluation.
The upcoming Trump-Xi summit is not expected to yield major breakthroughs, according to Kurt Campbell, a former US deputy secretary of state. Campbell described even a temporary pause in hostilities as a modest success. He suggested Trump might announce plans for two additional meetings with Xi—one at the APEC forum in Shenzhen in November and another at the G20 summit in Miami in December.
Iran’s involvement in the talks was indirectly referenced, as China remains Tehran’s key economic and diplomatic ally amid rising US-Iran tensions. While Iran was not directly discussed in New York, the issue could shape broader US-China relations moving forward.
