US and China to discuss AI safety, rare minerals, and trade at Trump-Xi summit

The leaders of the US and China are scheduled to meet at the White House on September 23, 2026, with AI safety, trade, and critical minerals among the top agenda items. A US delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met ahead of the summit with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to set the agenda.

A trade truce agreed to in Busan in 2025 is set to expire on November 10, 2026. The agreement lowered tariff threats and paused port fees, and its extension is under discussion. The leaders may also set purchase targets for agricultural products, energy, and Boeing aircraft, as well as negotiate a $30 billion package covering about 10 categories of 'non-sensitive' goods.

China’s export limits on rare earth minerals—key inputs for AI hardware, automobiles, and defense—were lifted as part of the Busan agreement. Beijing’s dominant position in the global rare earth market is a lever in negotiations, with the US seeking more stable supply chains for these materials.

AI safety will be discussed, reflecting requests from business leaders, though industry opinions on outcomes are divided. Beijing seeks easing of US restrictions on Chinese technologies, while some US businesses worry about falling behind China if development slows. The talks are intertwined with export controls on computer chips and related materials.

Geopolitical tensions, including China’s threats to withdraw from the summit over potential US arms sales to Taiwan and discussions about China’s economic ties with Iran, add complexity to the negotiations. Analysts expect limited concessions despite symbolic gestures, with both sides prioritizing economic interests over fundamental shifts in policy.