Archive · 21 Sep 2026
US Proposes AI Incident Notification Mechanism Ahead of Trump-Xi Talks
The United States and China are discussing a way to tell each other about serious artificial intelligence problems.
These problems could be important for national security.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the plan would make AI activities more transparent.
The discussions happened before President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The meeting is expected to take place at the White House on Thursday.
The two countries also agreed to put a new Board of Trade into operation.
They are still discussing which goods might receive lower tariffs.
President Trump has opposed slowing AI development because he says that could help China catch up with US companies.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States proposed an AI incident notification mechanism with China.
The mechanism would cover artificial intelligence incidents that could affect national security.
Bessent said greater transparency was needed between the world’s two leading AI powers.
The proposal emerged during weekend discussions in New York ahead of Thursday’s Trump-Xi talks.
The United States and China also agreed to operationalize a new Board of Trade and continued tariff discussions.
- Who
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, President Donald Trump, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- What
- The United States proposed an AI notification mechanism for incidents that could affect national security, while both countries advanced trade discussions.
- When
- The proposal was discussed on Sunday during weekend talks ahead of Trump-Xi discussions scheduled for Thursday.
- Where
- The discussions took place in New York; the Trump-Xi meeting is planned for the White House.
- Why
- The United States said greater transparency and a shared understanding of common goals and threats were important as AI development expands.
Transparency Advocates
Development First
How to manage AI risks
Transparency Advocates
US officials argued that greater transparency and notifications about national-security-related AI incidents would help establish shared goals and address common threats.
Development First
President Donald Trump has resisted calls to slow AI development, saying restrictions could help China catch up with US companies.
- Proposed mechanism
- A notification system for AI incidents that could affect national security.
- US official
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the proposal.
- Chinese counterpart
- Bessent discussed the matter with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
- Upcoming meeting
- Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet on Thursday at the White House.
- Trade body
- The two countries agreed to operationalize a new Board of Trade.
- Potential tariff items
- Consumer and agricultural goods, energy products, and medical devices were mentioned as possible nonsensitive items for lower tariffs.
- AI policy difference
- Trump has resisted calls to slow AI development, arguing that doing so could help China catch up with US companies.