China Confirms First U.S.-Led AI Talks, Discusses Trade Truce Extension
Hours before President Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington, D.C., China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed that senior trade negotiators held the first talks with the United States on artificial intelligence. The discussions also covered plans for reducing tariffs and extending a previously agreed-upon trade truce from October 2025. The U.S.-China dialogue is part of broader efforts to manage tensions in key sectors like semiconductors, rare earths, and AI safety. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the two sides had tentatively extended their trade truce until January 2026 during a press appearance on Wednesday. Both nations are seeking ways to address emerging risks from rapidly advancing technologies following recent concerns about autonomous systems potentially enabling faster or more complex cyberattacks.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Diplomacy Tariffs Trade Talks