ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

US and China Plan First Official AI Talks Under Trump in September

ai-technology · 2026-07-21

In September, the U.S. and China will initiate their inaugural formal dialogue on artificial intelligence under President Donald Trump, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the helm. These discussions are anticipated to occur prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the U.S. on September 24, although specific details remain unclear. China is exploring technical collaboration on AI and is deliberating internally on which representatives to send. This dialogue is a result of the Trump-Xi summit held in May, aiming to curb the access of powerful AI models to non-state actors. Both countries are grappling with the implications of advanced AI systems. The U.S. has enacted export restrictions on AI chips to China, while China is contemplating limiting access to its own AI models. This initiative follows Xi's address at the 2026 World AI Conference, where an AI cooperation agreement was signed by 29 nations.

Key facts

  • US and China planning first official AI talks under Trump in September.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead the U.S. delegation.
  • Talks expected before Xi Jinping's US visit on September 24.
  • Specific dates, attendees, location, and agenda not yet set.
  • China seeks technical engagement, not political talks.
  • Dialogue is outcome of May Trump-Xi summit.
  • Bessent aims to halt spread of powerful AI models to non-state actors.
  • US has export restrictions on AI chips to China.
  • China considering curbs on overseas access to its AI models.
  • Xi Jinping advocated open-source AI at 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai.
  • 29 countries signed to establish AI cooperation organization in Shanghai.
  • Paul Triolo says first meeting unlikely to resolve major issues.

Entities

Artists

  • Donald Trump
  • Xi Jinping
  • Scott Bessent

Institutions

  • Reuters
  • Treasury Department
  • DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group
  • World Artificial Intelligence Conference
  • Pax Silica
  • US Department of Justice
  • US Congress
  • US Department of the Treasury
  • Ars Technica
  • Wired
  • US Treasury
  • Office of the US Trade Representative
  • South China Morning Post
  • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Locations

  • United States
  • China
  • Shanghai
  • Washington
  • New York
  • Beijing
  • Shenzhen

Sources