China's Commerce Ministry announced that senior trade negotiators from China and the U.S. engaged in their inaugural discussions on artificial intelligence, alongside talks about reducing tariffs and extending existing trade agreements. This meeting involved China's Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, occurring just before a summit between Presidents Trump and Xi.
Bessent indicated that the two nations agreed to prolong a trade truce until January, which was initially established in October 2025 to maintain lower tariffs and limit China's export controls on rare earths, essential for semiconductors and various consumer goods.
The discussions also included establishing a dialogue on AI and a framework for notifying each other about AI-related risks, reflecting growing concerns over the rapid advancement of AI technologies. The constructive nature of these talks suggests a willingness from both sides to address technological risks and could lead to more stable trade relations moving forward