US, China must ensure to develop AI that's under human control: Xi Jinping at White House

Xi called for US-China cooperation on AI, Taiwan, Iran and trade, while urging managed competition, regular military communication and a 'new approach' to bilateral ties despite unresolved strategic differences.

In Short

• Xi stresses healthy US-China competition, military talks
• Urges US-China AI development under human control
• Trump resists tighter AI regulations, calls risks a hoax

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the United States and China to ensure that the development of artificial intelligence remains under human control and is directed towards public welfare, placing AI safety at the centre of his remarks during his White House meeting with US President Donald Trump on Thursday.

"Both China and the United States are leading nations in Artificial Intelligence. We have both the capability and responsibility to develop and manage AI for good and ensure that the development of AI is always under human control and serves the well-being of the people," Xi said.

The remarks came amid growing concerns over the exponential pace of AI development, with global AI leaders calling for a slowdown amid the discussion on potential risks and adequate safeguards.

Trump has pushed back against calls for tighter controls on the rapidly advancing AI technology. Ahead of his meeting with Xi, Trump said "Super Intelligence" would be a major topic of discussion, but added that he wanted to "leave it exactly where it is". He has also dismissed warnings about AI posing catastrophic risks, calling such concerns a "hoax"” and arguing that the US must maintain its lead over China in the technology.

The differences come as Washington and Beijing compete aggressively for dominance in advanced AI, semiconductors and other strategic technologies. Analysts argue that intense competition between the two powers in AI is likely to limit the scope for anything beyond symbolic agreements.

Beyond AI, Xi sought to frame the relationship between the world's two largest economies around dialogue and managed competition.

Xi said China and the US should "act as responsible major countries" and called for "a new approach for major countries to get along with each other."

He said the two countries' interests were "deeply intertwined", while stressing that competition between them should be "a healthy one."

Xi also said China and the US should maintain regular communication between their militaries to improve crisis prevention, an important mechanism given tensions over Taiwan and other security issues.

XI BACKS US-IRAN CEASEFIRE, PEACE TALKS

The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran also featured in the summit.

According to Xinhua, Xi expressed support for the US and Iran returning to a ceasefire and eventually negotiating a peace agreement.

His comments came shortly after Trump strongly defended the use of US military power in a speech at the United Nations, where he suggested that the US could "annihilate" Iran.

The contrasting tone was notable as Trump adopted a more conciliatory approach in his remarks about Xi and China during Thursday's summit.

Trump had forcefully defended his use of military power in a speech at the United Nations earlier in the week, saying he could "annihilate" Iran. His more conciliatory tone toward Xi reflected the importance Washington places on maintaining stable relations with Beijing.

However, there has been little indication that Beijing is prepared to use its relationship with Tehran to press Iran to accept US demands.

XI PRESSES TRUMP ON TAIWAN

Taiwan was another major issue in Xi's discussions with Trump.

During their bilateral meeting, Xi urged the United States to oppose "Taiwan independence", according to a readout from China's official Xinhua news agency.

Taiwan remains one of the most sensitive issues in US-China relations. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control, while the US maintains longstanding but unofficial ties with Taipei.

Xi had also been expected to press Trump over US arms sales to Taiwan. Following Trump's visit to China in May, the US President said he was holding in abeyance an arms package for Taiwan worth about USD 14 billion, describing it as a "very good negotiating chip."

The decision had raised concerns among some US allies in Asia and some Republicans that Washington could soften its support for Taiwan in exchange for economic concessions from Beijing.

TRADE TRUCE EXTENDED, BUT TENSIONS REMAIN

The summit also took place against the backdrop of a trade conflict between Washington and Beijing that has reshaped the economic relationship between the two countries. The clearest tangible outcome was an extension of the existing US-China trade truce, which had been due to expire later this year.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two sides had agreed to extend the arrangement until January 10, giving Washington and Beijing additional time to negotiate their economic differences.

The extension, however, leaves the central disputes unresolved, including tariffs, Chinese purchases of US goods, rare-earth supplies and technology restrictions.

Xi stressed the importance of their intertwined economic interests and said China remained open to American companies seeking to invest and do business there. He also called for Chinese companies to be treated fairly in the US.

For businesses, the extension provides some temporary stability but leaves the broader trading relationship subject to further negotiations.

TRUMP TOUTS FRIENDSHIP, XI STRESSES NATIONAL INTERESTS

The Chinese President said he and Trump had held "in-depth discussions" and reached "common understanding on many issues", which he said provided "new strategic guidance for China-US relations."

He did not elaborate on the specific areas covered by that understanding.

Trump, meanwhile, repeatedly highlighted his personal relationship with Xi, describing their ties as a "truly great friendship" and saying the two countries had made progress on trade since his visit to China in May.

Speaking at the state dinner, the US President said, "We've never gotten along better," while stressing the importance of stronger ties between the two countries.

"As the leaders of our two nations, President Xi and I both understand that we represent different systems, but the ties between our people endure, and we’ve never gotten along better. Together, we can continue to build a relationship that promotes prosperity and security for future generations," Trump said.

He also presented President Xi with a gift -- a bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States, which Trump described as "an embodiment of the free and soaring spirit of America."

Xi adopted a more measured tone, saying the interests of the two countries were deeply intertwined and that competition between them should be "healthy".

He also said Chinese companies hoped to be treated fairly in the United States, while calling for regular communication between the two militaries to help prevent crises.

SPECTACLE TAKES CENTRE STAGE

For Trump, the summit was also an opportunity to showcase the grandeur of a state visit. The meeting was notable for taking place in Washington while scores of world leaders were gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

He greeted Xi on Wednesday evening with a red-carpet welcome at Joint Base Andrews. On Thursday, the leaders took part in a military ceremony and flyover at the White House before holding their closed-door meeting.

Trump later welcomed Xi to the White House for a lavish summit that included a state dinner, with the two leaders and their wives attending the black-tie event.

The US President also showcased parts of the White House complex to Xi, including a newly constructed helipad, and later invited dinner guests to view the site of a new ballroom he is building nearby.

The ceremony contrasted with the limited public information emerging from the substantive talks. US television networks also declined to carry the leaders' remarks live amid a dispute over White House restrictions on access for CNN, MS NOW and Politico.

Despite the ceremony surrounding the visit, the summit produced little public evidence of breakthroughs on some of the most difficult issues dividing Washington and Beijing, including AI, Taiwan, trade and the Iran conflict.

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