Xi Jinping is set to meet 
Donald Trump at the White House on Sept. 24, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent plans to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this weekend ahead of the summit. Trump said he was not worried that Xi would call off the visit, telling reporters at the Irish Open in Doonbeg on Sunday, "We have a great relationship," the Taipei Times reported.
What is on the agenda? Artificial intelligence is expected to be among the topics as the two countries compete for global AI leadership, in what CNA reported will be the leaders' second meeting this year. Bessent told a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Tuesday that the two leaders would also continue discussions next week on Iran and China's financial links to Tehran, the Japan Times reported. Washington has been seeking to shut Iran out of Western financial systems as the Iran war stretches into its seventh month. Whether US arms sales to Taiwan become part of the talks has also drawn attention, with Beijing continuing to treat Taiwan as a sensitive issue in US-China relations, the Liberty Times reported.
Who else is expected in Washington? People familiar with the matter said Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang will attend the state banquet Trump is hosting for Xi. Huang, who accompanied Trump to China in May, will attend amid growing concern over the potential dangers of AI, CNA reported. Sources told CNN that some administration officials are weighing a sideline meeting of AI leaders during the visit, though nothing has been scheduled and Xi is not expected to take part. OpenAI global affairs chief Chris Lehane told CBS that chief executive Sam Altman would attend the state dinner.
How has AI safety come up? At Tuesday's hearing, Bessent defended the administration's approach to overseeing advanced AI models and said AI companies could halt their own progress whenever they wished, CNA reported. Trump dismissed warnings about AI as a hoax earlier this week, and wrote on Truth Social that China was the only party pleased by what he called a conspiracy theory against AI and data centers.
Where do trade talks stand? Prospects for extending the US-China trade truce are solidifying as the two sides discuss slashing tariffs on goods including American energy and agricultural products, the Japan Times reported. People familiar with the matter said next week's meetings are also likely to produce an agreement cutting duties on Chinese inputs for manufacturers.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump, Xi Jinping. — JudgeMarket.
