Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Trump-Xi Talks Expected to Address AI Guardrails
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to talk about artificial intelligence when they meet in Washington.
Scott Bessent said the United States and China need to communicate closely about powerful AI systems.
He said both countries should create safety rules, called guardrails.
He also worried that dangerous groups could gain access to advanced AI models.
Earlier talks at a G20 meeting were limited because China’s main AI official was not there.
The United States discussed AI risks and opportunities with other G20 countries.
The G20 said AI could change the world economy and help countries grow.
It also said governments should encourage innovation while protecting financial systems and computer networks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said artificial intelligence is expected to be discussed when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in Washington in September.
Bessent said the United States and China share responsibility for creating safeguards as AI systems rapidly advance.
He called for closer communication between the two leading AI powers and warned against powerful models reaching non-state actors.
US-China AI discussions at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville were limited because China’s designated AI official, Vice Mayor He Lifeng, was absent.
The G20 chair’s statement backed regulatory frameworks to support innovation, financial stability and cyber resilience as AI expands across the economy.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; Vice Mayor He Lifeng was identified as China’s designated official for AI discussions.
- What
- Trump and Xi are expected to discuss AI safeguards, communication and risks from increasingly powerful models.
- When
- The Trump-Xi meeting is planned for September; limited AI discussions took place during the G20 finance ministers’ meeting.
- Where
- The planned leaders’ meeting will take place in Washington, while the G20 meeting was held in Asheville.
- Why
- The discussions are intended to address rapidly advancing AI, prevent powerful models from reaching non-state actors, and manage economic, financial and cybersecurity risks.
- Planned meeting
- Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are expected to meet in Washington in September.
- AI agenda
- Scott Bessent said artificial intelligence is expected to be on the leaders’ agenda.
- Main concern
- Bessent called for guardrails and closer communication between the United States and China.
- Non-state actors
- Bessent said the countries should prevent non-state actors from obtaining powerful large language models.
- G20 discussions
- US-China AI talks at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting were limited because He Lifeng was absent.
- G20 position
- The G20 chair’s statement described AI as a general-purpose technology that could reshape the global economy.
- Proposed frameworks
- The G20 statement supported regulation and supervision to preserve financial stability, encourage innovation and strengthen cyber resilience.