21 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : The United States and China have discussed creating a dedicated AI dialogue focused on managing artificial-intelligence risks, including incidents that could rise to the level of national security threats, as officials prepare for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.
US Proposes AI Incident Notification System
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington proposed a mechanism through which the two countries could notify each other about serious AI-related incidents.
The proposed system would focus on situations involving AI that could create national-security risks. Bessent said greater transparency between the world’s two leading AI powers was important as increasingly capable AI systems become more widely deployed.
Talks Held Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
The proposal emerged after around eight hours of talks in New York between Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, along with senior trade officials from both countries.
The discussions were intended to prepare the ground for the upcoming Trump-Xi summit in Washington. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the meetings were aimed at laying the groundwork for a successful leaders’ meeting.
AI Safety Becomes a Major US-China Issue
The AI discussions come as Washington and Beijing compete over advanced artificial intelligence, semiconductors and computing capabilities.
Both governments view AI as important not only for economic growth but also for national security and military capabilities. At the same time, the two sides remain divided over advanced-chip access, technology controls, AI regulation and allegations surrounding the copying of AI technology.
Cybersecurity Risks on the Agenda
One area of concern is the possibility that increasingly autonomous AI systems could be used in cyberattacks.
Earlier discussions between US and Chinese experts have examined safeguards around AI-enabled cyber operations, including maintaining human control over consequential attacks and establishing communication channels for serious incidents.
China Acknowledges AI Discussions
Chinese state media confirmed that AI-related issues were discussed during the New York meetings, describing the broader talks as candid, in-depth and constructive.
However, China’s public readout provided few details about the proposed notification mechanism, leaving the exact structure and scope of any future AI dialogue unclear.
Trade Also Remains Central
The AI discussions took place alongside negotiations over trade and investment.
US officials said the two sides were also working to operationalise a process for identifying possible tariff reductions on selected non-strategic goods. Potential areas mentioned by US officials include consumer goods, agricultural products, energy and medical devices.
AI Chip Controls Remain Sensitive
Despite the push for an AI communication channel, some of the most contentious technology issues remain outside the proposed mechanism.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said US export controls on advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment were not part of the AI notification discussions.
Trump-Xi Meeting Could Shape Future AI Cooperation
The planned Trump-Xi summit is expected to cover a much broader range of issues, including trade, technology and other strategic concerns.
The AI dialogue could provide a channel for Washington and Beijing to discuss risks even while competition over technological leadership continues. Reuters reported that both countries see AI as increasingly important to their economic and military competitiveness.
Cooperation Amid Strategic Competition
The proposed AI mechanism does not signal an end to the broader US-China technology rivalry.
Instead, it represents an attempt to create communication around risks that could escalate rapidly, particularly in cybersecurity and national security. Analysts cited by Reuters have noted that low levels of trust between Washington and Beijing could limit the scope of cooperation.