Trump and Xi convene in Washington to address AI competition and trade

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held bilateral talks in the Oval Office following a personal reception by Trump at Joint Base Andrews. The state visit, marking the second face-to-face meeting between the two leaders this year, focused heavily on the escalating global rivalry over artificial intelligence. Despite both powers recognizing the strategic importance of technology leadership, analysts expect limited concrete progress toward formal AI governance or bilateral agreements.

In addition to technological competition, the discussions covered broader economic and geopolitical friction, including unresolved trade tariffs and potential US secondary sanctions related to the conflict in Iran. Both Washington and Beijing are seeking to manage ongoing diplomatic strains and stabilize economic relations while navigating persistent mutual distrust.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, France24, Sweden Herald, The Guardian