US proposes AI safety alerts

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Sunday that the US has proposed a new AI safety notification system for Trump and Xi to consider at their Washington summit this week.

“moving from opaque to more transparency between the number one and the number two AI powers in the world is very important”

Mechanism would alert on incidents

The proposed US-China AI dialogue would include a system for alerting each other to AI-related incidents that could affect national security, with both sides agreeing to meet again on the issue.

AI high on Trump-Xi agenda

AI is expected to dominate the Trump-Xi summit Thursday, especially after US AI leaders warned the technology could pose an existential threat within years. Trump has dismissed such concerns as a hoax.

Distrust limits major deals

Experts warn the summit is unlikely to produce major AI agreements due to high distrust between the countries. China views calls to slow AI development as targeted attacks on its own progress.

Chip export controls stay firm

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said AI talks would not affect US export controls on advanced chips and semiconductor equipment that have hindered Chinese AI companies.

Trade truce expires in November

A major question ahead of the summit is whether Trump and Xi will extend a fragile trade truce set to expire November 10. Both sides are exploring lower tariffs on non-sensitive products.