US and China propose AI incident notification mechanism during trade talks in New York

Bilateral negotiations in New York

United States and Chinese officials completed an eight-hour meeting on trade and artificial intelligence on Sunday evening, 20 September 2026, at the JPMorgan Chase headquarters in New York. The American delegation included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Vice Premier He Lifeng led the Chinese delegation alongside newly appointed international trade representative Li Chenggang. Both teams met to establish preparatory terms ahead of an upcoming presidential summit in Washington. Chinese state news agency Xinhua described the bilateral discussions on Monday as candid, in-depth, and constructive.

“We just had a very successful engagement with the Chinese on trade and AI.”

Artificial intelligence notification mechanism

During the session, the United States proposed a communication structure designated as the US-China AI dialogue. The framework establishes a notification protocol for potential technical incidents or developments that rise to the level of national security threats. Scott Bessent stated that both sides agreed to meet again for further discussions on AI risks. Donald Trump has previously resisted calls to slow domestic artificial intelligence development to prevent Chinese competitors from closing the technological gap, while announcing plans for an AI Force and an AI Czar. Reporting from CNN indicated that the White House is also considering a meeting between administration officials and technology executives, including OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang, during Xi Jinping's visit.

“We think that, just like with any cross-border activity, that moving from opaque to more transparency between the number one and the number two AI powers in the world is very important.”

Trade board and non-sensitive commerce

Negotiators also advanced plans to operationalize a bilateral Board of Trade intended to act as a stabilizing counterweight for the economic relationship. Jamieson Greer stated that it is imperative for both nations to work together and outlined a scenario where non-sensitive products trade in a balanced manner. Under this framework, low-technology and consumer products from China would balance against American agricultural, energy, and medical goods. American officials separately noted continued dissatisfaction with Beijing's pace in facilitating exports of critical minerals and rare earth magnets, which are critical for American manufacturers. Technical meetings between staff delegations were scheduled to continue in New York through Monday.

Summit timeline and tariff truce

The New York negotiations prepare the groundwork for a bilateral summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping on Thursday, 24 September 2026, in Washington. Xi is scheduled to land in Washington on Wednesday, where Trump plans to greet him directly at the aircraft. The summit occurs ahead of the 10 November 2026 expiration date for the bilateral tariff truce agreed in October 2025. Neither government has announced a formal extension of the tariff pause ahead of the leaders' discussions. Beyond economic trade and artificial intelligence, the presidential agenda is expected to address geopolitical issues including the war in Iran, security tensions involving Taiwan, and Chinese relations with Russia.