Trump and Xi Address Alarm Over AI's Potential Risks to Humanity -

On Thursday, President Donald Trump of the United States and Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, engaged in discussions about their intense rivalry in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) during a summit aimed at strengthening relations between the globe’s leading economies.

A significant topic of interest during the state visit revolves around their differing perspectives on AI, with Trump supporting unobstructed development to maintain the technological supremacy of the United States.

Conversely, China has criticized U.S. export restrictions on semiconductors and related components, arguing that these limitations impede its local enterprises.

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Throughout the summit, Trump indicated that he and Xi would discuss matters pertaining to security, technology, and AI.

“If we focus on our common grounds, I believe we can achieve significant outcomes throughout history,” he stated in the Grand Foyer of the White House.

Earlier, the U.S. president took to social media to convey his intention to keep AI “exactly where it is,” reiterating his long-standing opposition to regulatory measures.

In contrast, Xi displayed some openness towards the idea of setting guidelines.

“We have both the ability and the responsibility to develop and regulate AI for the greater good, ensuring that its advancement is controlled by humans,” Xi declared.

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This marks the first time the two leaders have collaboratively addressed the anxieties expressed by Silicon Valley executives and various American policymakers regarding the possible hazards of AI technology.

Superpower rivalry

The summit began in the traditional manner for state visits on the South Lawn, with Trump, Xi, and their spouses exchanging handshakes and taking an official picture. Following their remarks, a separate event included a military display and a flyover.

Trump proudly showcased his renovation initiatives at the White House, notably the expansive ballroom being constructed on the site of the historic East Wing.

In an unusual move, Trump invited Xi onboard the new presidential helicopter to view a newly built stone helipad on the South Lawn.

“He’s skilled in stonework and many other areas, and he values high-quality granite,” Trump remarked about Xi. On their meeting, Trump simply described it as “great” and refrained from answering reporters’ questions concerning its details.

However, beneath that display of camaraderie, ongoing tensions remain between the superpower rivals over issues like trade, Taiwan, and the escalating conflict in AI.

Xi pressed Trump to reconsider the U.S. stance on Taiwan, urging him to “oppose” the self-governing island’s independence, which Beijing claims as its territory.

The official U.S. position acknowledges Taiwan’s autonomy without endorsing independence, opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo by either Beijing or Taipei.

Trade relations

During their conversations, Trump declared that he and Xi have achieved “considerable progress on issues facing our two nations,” alluding to efforts to increase access for U.S. farmers and ranchers to the Chinese market via the newly instituted Board of Trade.

In front of a backdrop of American and Chinese flags, Trump primarily adhered to a scripted speech and avoided the contentious subject of Taiwan.

Xi, who was more expansive in his initial remarks, expressed a desire to improve communication regarding trade, finance, and foreign affairs with the U.S., stressing that confrontation would lead to mutual losses.

He highlighted the potential for boosting direct flights between the two countries and noted that two pandas would soon arrive at Zoo Atlanta in Georgia.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. announced an agreement to extend its trade truce with China by approximately two months, moving the deadline to January 10.

This agreement, established last year, has kept tariffs low after Trump initiated a trade conflict with Beijing at the start of his second term.

U.S. voter dissatisfaction amid Xi’s bid for a fourth term

This visit comes at a critical juncture for Trump, who faces a cost of living crisis exacerbated by his military actions in Iran.

Rising prices have fueled voter discontent, jeopardizing the Republicans’ hold on Congress in the upcoming midterm elections in November.

Some members of Trump’s party have criticized how he is hosting Xi.

This includes Senators Roger Wicker, who is usually a reliable ally, and Thom Tillis.

Xi visits the U.S. as he approaches a potential unprecedented fourth term next year, with China’s dominance in rare earth elements providing it with enduring leverage. Nonetheless, the Chinese leader also faces sluggish economic growth and rising youth unemployment.

Xi’s first state visit to the U.S. in 11 years did not receive coverage from major American television networks after Trump banned three media organizations from the White House, prompting top networks to abstain from broadcasting the event. Coverage primarily came from cameras operated by the White House and China.

During their Oval Office meeting, Trump humorously mentioned the cordial nature of the Chinese press corps, as observed by the photographers present.

Representatives from print and other media outlets were barred from the event’s coverage.

The AI discussion

While leaders in Silicon Valley have expressed concerns about the hazards associated with unchecked AI development, neither Washington nor Beijing appears willing to slow down their AI progress.

Trump has dismissed the potential dangers of AI as a “hoax,” ignoring calls for regulatory oversight.

Beijing perceives little reason to apply brakes, partly due to its current lag, though it is quickly closing the gap.

Nonetheless, both sides are exploring ways to manage common risks.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the administration has proposed an emergency hotline for AI incidents and discussed a communication mechanism with Chinese officials during a recent meeting in New York.

The tensions surrounding AI are expected to resurface on Thursday evening when Trump hosts Xi for the second state dinner of his presidency.

The guest list includes OpenAI’s Sam Altman, who has criticized the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek for taking a “free ride” on advances from U.S. frontier labs, and Jensen Huang, whose top Nvidia chips are prohibited from being sold to China.

These underlying tensions will be momentarily set aside during a dinner featuring dishes such as yellow squash velouté and sesame-crusted sea bass.