US Says It Can Hold AI Talks with China Due to Technology Lead

(MENAFN) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that the United States is able to engage in discussions with China on artificial intelligence because it currently maintains a leading position in the global AI race.

Speaking to CNBC during the sidelines of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Bessent said both countries plan to initiate formal discussions on AI governance and develop shared guidelines for best practices in the rapidly evolving sector.

“The two AI superpowers are gonna start talking. We’re gonna set up a protocol in terms of how do we go forward with best practices for AI to make sure non-state actors don’t get a hold of these models,” he said.

He added that Washington’s perceived technological advantage makes such cooperation possible.

“The reason we are able to have wholesome discussions with the Chinese on AI is because we are in the lead,” he said. “I do not think we would be having the same discussions if they were this far ahead of us.”

Bessent also suggested that significant improvements in upcoming large language model releases from companies like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI could be expected.

According to reports, the United States has been trying to slow China’s progress in AI development through restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductors, particularly those produced by Nvidia. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly accompanied Trump’s delegation to China during the visit.

When asked about reports suggesting approval for the sale of Nvidia H200 chips to select Chinese tech firms, Bessent said the issue has involved ongoing negotiations and “a lot of back and forth.”

The remarks came as Trump and Xi concluded their first major meeting of the China trip in Beijing. Chinese officials said Xi highlighted Taiwan as a central issue in US-China relations and warned against mishandling the topic.

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