US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold summit in Washington

United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Washington in late September 2026 to discuss trade relations, artificial intelligence safety, and geopolitical tensions. Despite low expectations for a comprehensive agreement, the summit resulted in the extension of an 11-month trade truce, which was originally set to expire on November 10, until January 10, 2027. Negotiations also touched on reducing non-tariff barriers, with discussions including a potential mutual tariff reduction on goods valued at approximately $30 billion.

Regarding technology, the two leaders explored establishing an early-warning mechanism for artificial intelligence incidents that could threaten national security, a proposal championed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Analysts remain cautious about the long-term effectiveness of these communication channels, noting that deep-seated rivalries over military, industrial, and technological dominance remain unresolved.

President Trump described the discussions as showing "tremendous progress," yet experts note that the meeting served primarily as a platform to clarify respective positions. While China seeks to maintain its record-high export levels and technological development, the U.S. continues to pursue protective measures, including restrictions on investments and the use of American technology, as both nations attempt to balance economic competition with the need for global stability.