China, US to open AI 'communication channel' after summit - CNA

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping confirmed that they would meet a third and fourth time this year at international summits in China and the United States.

US President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on Sep 24, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Evan Vucci)

WASHINGTON: China and the United States agreed to set up a "communication channel" for artificial intelligence incidents, both sides said, after a Washington summit short on breakthroughs.

Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed matters ranging from AI and trade to the stalled war in Iran, and confirmed that they would meet for a third and fourth time this year at international summits in China and the United States.

Xi's visit to Washington was marked more by pomp than substance, but the White House said on Friday (Sep 25) the nations agreed to establish a "bilateral communication channel" for AI incidents.

According to Reuters, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that both countries have agreed to a US$30 billion reciprocal tariff-reduction arrangement and to launch dialogue on AI, under an eight-point consensus reached during Xi's visit to the US. 

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less The two sides recognised the work of their economic teams and endorsed steps including the establishment of a trade council, the tariff-reduction arrangement and an extension of outcomes from earlier talks in Kuala Lumpur, the ministry said.

While Trump has repeatedly dismissed fears that AI could pose a threat to humanity, Xi took a more measured tone, noting the technology must develop under human control.

The White House also reported some deals from the visit, including China agreeing to import at least 10 million metric tons of coal from the US in 2027 and 2028.

Despite the focus on pomp and ceremony during the visit, the message from the US and Chinese sides was that the summit had nevertheless helped smooth tensions between the rival superpowers over a host of issues.

Trump said the meeting was "one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both China and the USA". 

"We've made great strides, very positive for both countries," Trump told reporters as he had tea with Xi at the White House on Friday before the archives trip.

Trump rolled out the red carpet throughout the visit, treating Xi to a state banquet full of US tech titans, plus military parades, a flyover and even a tour of his new White House helipad and ballroom.

For his part, Xi said his Washington trip had added "new substance" to his summit with Trump in Beijing in May.

The Chinese leader added that they had agreed to "strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity".

The announcement that the two leaders would continue their dialogue was perhaps the biggest deliverable for both sides.

Both leaders confirmed they would meet again at the APEC summit in Shenzen, China, in November and the G20 forum at Trump's Doral resort in Miami in December.

While visiting the National Archives in Washington, the leaders inspected the Declaration of Independence, which marks its 250th anniversary this year and which set out the path for American independence from the "tyrant" British king.

Beneath the rotunda, Trump also showed Xi the US Constitution, the document that set out the principles of the country's democratic government two and a half centuries ago.

"We're just comparing how this goes 250 years, theirs goes 6,000 years," Trump told reporters, referring to China's ancient roots, as he stood alongside Xi, chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, which has ruled China since 1949.

Trump confirmed during the archive visit that the two leaders had discussed the US-Israeli war in Iran, which is approaching its seven-month mark.

The Republican has faced pressure from Democrats and his own party to confront Xi over reports that Beijing has supplied Tehran with intelligence for attacks on US troops.

"We did, we did," Trump said at the National Archives when asked if they had talked about Iran. 

Asked if he thought there would be progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for the flow of oil, Trump replied: "I think we're going to do great."

Trump's showcasing of US democracy at the National Archives comes a week after he banned three major US media outlets from the White House. They were readmitted on Thursday on the orders of a US judge.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects the freedom of the press.

Rights groups criticise China for its lack of press freedoms and the right of free expression.

Trump also publicly mocked his democratically elected predecessor Joe Biden as he gave Xi a tour of the White House on Thursday, showing him a picture of an "autopen" that he has mounted in a gallery of US presidents instead of Biden's portrait.

Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.

An automated curation of our top stories to start your day.